Why Pain Keeps Coming Back
What do you do when the same pain keeps interrupting your day? This illustrated guide helps you make sense of what you feel, what a scan can tell you, and how to tell whether the things you’re trying are helping.
Find your question
- PDF · Page 8What do the findings on my MRI mean?
- PDF · Page 14Is the pain or tingling down my leg sciatica?
- PDF · Page 17Why does my heel hurt on the first few steps?
- PDF · Page 24How can I tell if physical therapy is helping?
- PDF · Page 26How do I know if my exercises are worth doing?
Download the free guide45-page PDF
Common questions
I have a few symptoms. Which chapter should I read first?
Start with the symptom that interrupted your day most recently. If it was tingling down the leg, start there. If you’re unsure whether care is helping, begin with the chapter on checking progress.
What if I only feel the pain after a full day of work?
Use the movement and flare log to note when it starts, what you were doing before, and how it feels the next morning. A few details about a normal day can give you a specific question to bring to an appointment.
I have an MRI report full of terms I don’t understand. Where should I start?
Open the MRI chapter and pick one finding you want explained. Then write down the movement or symptom that matters to you so you can ask how the two fit together.
How can I use the guide before my next appointment?
Write down one thing you miss doing, the point where it gets harder, and one way you’d know it’s improving. The appointment worksheet gives you a place to bring those details together.