SGBP Final 4

Preventive Measures

Prevention of back pain is any day better than a cure since there is always a good chance
that the back pain can recur. As you will see from the algorithm, resolution of pain is not
the end of the story. I have put a number of arrows pointing towards preventive
measures indicating that irrespective of the cause and severity of the back pain –
whether it was due to a mechanical or pathological cause – you have to take steps to
prevent it from coming back.

There are a variety of things that you can do to avoid back pain. I shall list them, not in
any particular order, because ALL of them are important and MUST be followed for a
healthier, pain-free existence.

Have a positive attitude

If you think you can, YOU CAN!! It is most imperative that you think positively and
firmly believe that you can control and reduce your back pain. Just as for any venture in
life you have pessimists and optimists, in the same way, for back pain you have two
types of sufferers:

 The worrier: Fears the pain and worries about the future, rests a lot and just

waits for the pain to go away. Worriers suffer the most. They have pain longer,

are out of work longer and can become disabled.

 The doer: Knows the pain will get better. Does not worry about the future and

deals with the pain by staying positive and active

YOU NEED TO BECOME A DOER IF YOU WANT TO GET RID OF YOUR BACK PAIN
AND LEAD A NORMAL LIFE.

How does one become a doer? By doing the following:

 Live life as normally as possible – keep up daily activities

 Avoid only exceptionally heavy tasks