It seems there are always new products, gimmicks, exercise plans, and support groups that claim to offer the most effective, latest and greatest forms of weight loss. I see it on TV, in magazines, newspapers, and I even received a marketing piece in the mail the other day claiming to be the solution to my weight loss problem (which I incidentally don’t have).

I’m starting to hear and see a lot of the same about back pain. On the radio today they were promoting the newest “controversial” cure for back pain that is supposed to be highlighted on the 11pm news (I hope I stay awake long enough to see it). There are a slew of new products from braces, supports, pillows, and supplements. Not to mention, many, often contradicting types of exercise programs. Even the physical therapy treatments range from very aggressive, to passive and gentle. So how do you know where to start or what to invest in?

I wish there was an easy answer…and if there is, I unfortunately don’t have it. I don’t think there is a magic answer to back pain and for many reasons. Here goes:

1. Every body is different and will respond differently to each product and treatment available.

2. Mental /emotional pain and stress will often contribute to physical pain and if not addressed, the individual may not experience relief from a given remedy.

3. Motivation and commitment make a huge difference. If you are supposed to wear a brace for a certain number of hours a day but don’t, the results may not be as implied. Or if an exercise program takes an hour and you only find 15 minutes, you’re not going to get results.

4. It’s often difficult for me to bring up the topic with patients who are overweight, but finding a weight management program is often needed to find relief from back pain. As hard as it is to lose weight, it is so important to make lifestyle changes that include healthy, mindful eating and exercise.

5. The spine is complex structurally, with so many joints, ligaments, muscles, discs, and nerve, that there is lots of room for things to go wrong. Any imbalance can create pain and result in muscle spasm that can lead to weakness and loss of motion over even a short period of time.

6. If there was a magic answer, there wouldn’t be so many resources, products, and treatments available.

I encourage people to tackle back pain quickly to prevent a chronic problem from developing. If one treatment isn’t successful and you are consistently following through with whatever components were recommended (you have to be honest with yourself here), then discuss alternative approaches with your current provider or seek out complementary treatments. Evaluate your lifestyle and overall physical and mental well-being to see what other directions you may need to follow for treatment. Keep an open mind and open lines of communication between all of your providers so you can achieve the best outcome possible.

And who knows, maybe the 11 o’clock news tonight will have a miraculous break through treatment new to all of us that will put an end to back pain forever.