80% of adults experience pain
in this region.
And
most people can get back on
track without surgery.
Back pain represents 50% of all lost work days and
costs U.S. companies over $61 billion per year in lost
productivity.1 If you’ve had recurring back pain or are
first experiencing it, here are steps you can take before
seeing a doctor. If the pain persists, you can use the
UnitedHealth Premium® designation program (detailed
below) to find a primary care physician who’s more
familiar with a wide range of treatment options. Of course,
if you experience additional, more serious symptoms such
as a fever, change in bowel or bladder habits or numbness
in the hips, please seek medical attention immediately.
Watchful waiting
Just because you have back pain doesn’t mean medical
attention is required. Back pain usually improves on its
own within 72 hours of the onset of pain with the use of
ice, anti-inflammatory drugs or analgesic pain relievers.2
It may take several weeks before it completely disappears,
but you should begin to notice some improvement within
72 hours.3 If not, it’s time to see your doctor.
Self-care
Certain home treatments may also aid in your recovery.
By staying active, you can speed your recovery as long as
you stick to activities that aren’t painful and avoid those
that aggravate your back.4 If you want to try bed rest,
limit it to one to two days to avoid worsening your pain or
creating complications.5 Applying ice wrapped in a cloth
1
New Hampshire Business Review, September 26, 2008
2
Back Pain, Mayo Clinic, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/back-pain/DS00171,
Feb. 8, 2008
3
Ibid.
4
North American Spine Society, Back Pain Basics: Common Questions,
Uncomplicated Answers, 2007
5
Back Pain, Mayo Clinic, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/back-pain/DS00171,
Feb. 8, 2008
6
North American Spine Society, Back Pain Basics: Common Questions,
Uncomplicated Answers, 2007
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Back Pain Information
Page, http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/backpain/backpain.htm?css=print, July 31, 2008
7
The UnitedHealth Premium® designation program is a resource for informational purposes only.
Designations are displayed in UnitedHealthcare online physician directories at myuhc.com®.
You should always consult myuhc.com for the most current information. Premium designations
are a guide to choosing a physician and may be used as one of many factors you consider
when choosing the physicians from whom you receive care. If you already have a physician,
you may also wish to confer with him or her for advice on selecting other physicians. Physician
evaluations have a risk of error and should not be the sole basis for selecting a physician.
Please see myuhc.com for detailed program information and methodologies.
100-8897 10/08 © 2008 United HealthCare Services, Inc.
or towel can also help if done several times a day (for up
to 20 minutes at a time) soon after injuring your back.
After spasms and acute pain subside, you can loosen
tight muscles by applying heat from a heating pad or
heat lamp (up to 20 minutes at a time). Finally, certain
over-the-counter medications may help control pain,
swelling and stiffness, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin,
others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).6
Noninvasive medical treatment
If your back pain persists after home treatment, finding
a doctor who will consider the full range of treatment
options, especially the nonsurgical ones, is critical.
Medical experts agree that noninvasive treatments, such
as physical therapy and prescription medications, should
be considered before back surgery.7 And finding a primary
care physician familiar with these options is where the
UnitedHealth Premium designation program can help.
UnitedHealth Premium evaluates physicians using
evidence-based medical standards and practices. The
program designates one star for meeting quality of care
criteria, and two stars for meeting quality of care and cost
efficiency criteria. Just look for the stars to find a doctor
that meets your needs.
 Quality and Cost Efficiency
A doctor has met quality of care guidelines by following
evidence-based medical standards and practices, and has
met guidelines for cost efficient care.
 Quality of Care
A doctor has met quality of care guidelines by following
evidence-based medical standards and practices.