Frequently Asked Questions
About Chronic Low Back and Neck Pain

Q: How is chronic low back or neck pain defined?

A: Pain falls into three main categories — acute, subacute, and chronic. Chronic low back or neck pain is clinically defined as pain lasting longer than 12 weeks or recurring repeatedly over a long time. The sensation of pain is different for each individual. It might be constant or episodic in nature and may vary from a dull throb to a sharp spasm. Feelings of numbness or tingling may also occur.

Q: What causes low back or neck pain?

A: Chronic low back or neck pain can be caused by many things, including accumulative trauma, congenital defects, osteoporosis and degenerative changes to the spine due to aging, prolonged poor posture, and poor body mechanics. Other causes can include muscle strain or injury from repetitive motion, excessive body weight, degenerative disc disease, or a herniated disc.

Q: What is a herniated disc?

A: A herniated disc is a condition in which the innermost gelatinous disc material protrudes into the outside wall of an intervertebral disc, potentially compressing a spinal nerve that causes low back and/or leg pain (tingling or numbness). In the neck, a herniated disc may cause neck and/or arm pain (tingling or numbness).

Q: What can I do to protect my back and neck and prevent problems in the first place?

A: You can protect yourself by doing strengthening and flexibility exercises, employing appropriate posture and body mechanics, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking. You should also learn to manage your stress levels. All of these strategies are taught in a LIFEBACK program.

Q: Who should I see if I start experiencing back and/or neck pain?

A: You should first make an appointment with your family physician and/or spine specialist. Depending upon your condition, you will most likely be referred to a physical therapist. If the back pain persists longer than 6 weeks, or keeps recurring after physical therapy or other treatment, you are likely a candidate for a LIFEBACK Spine Program.

Frequently Asked Questions
About LIFEBACK Spine Programs

Q: How can a LIFEBACK Spine Program help me with my chronic back pain or herniated disc?

A: LIFEBACK spine programs have helped more than 6,000 patients move beyond their debilitating, chronic back pain by using a comprehensive whole-person approach to managing low back and neck care. You will be taught correct strengthening and stretching exercises as well as tips on nutrition, stress management, and maintaining a healthy weight so that you can manage your own recovery and regain your quality of life.

Q: How are LIFEBACK spine programs different from other back pain treatment programs?

A: LIFEBACK programs are more than physical therapy and rehabilitation. They offer a unique, comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to low back and neck care that encompasses stabilization and strengthening exercises, flexibility training and spinal unloading therapies all presented in a cognitive behavioral group environment. We provide you with “patient responsible” techniques and a plan that put you in charge of controlling your pain and maintaining a healthy back and neck.

Q: How can I determine if a LIFEBACK program is right for me?

A: There are several LIFEBACK programs. Each is different depending on the anatomy (lower back or neck), whether or not you are recovering from recent back surgery, and any previous back care training. Your doctor and/or spine specialist must refer and recommend you to a LIFEBACK program (see Getting Started). In one of the Spine Rehab Clinics, a specially trained spine rehab therapist will then perform an evaluation and determine the appropriate LIFEBACK program for you.

In addition, we offer a unique “outcomes query” that lets you access documented recovery and satisfaction results from thousands of LIFEBACK program patients. The query asks you to submit your age, gender, back diagnosis and other information. You can then see the results you will likely receive after completing a LIFEBACK Program. See how other patients with a similar back pain condition fared from a LIFEBACK program by going to Proof.

Q: Where are LIFEBACK programs offered?

A: A network of Spine Rehab Clinics offers LIFEBACK Programs. Each clinic is staffed with specially trained spine rehab therapists who use a consistent protocol based on proven medical technology and functional training techniques. You can find the nearest Spine Rehab Clinic through the clinic locator at the top of this page.

Q. How do I get into a LIFEBACK program?

A: You must be referred by your doctor’s office. Instructions on how to get started can be found at Getting Started.

Q. How long are the LIFEBACK programs?

A: LIFEBACK programs are designed to help you get your life back and stop wasting time in pain. An initial evaluation at a Spine Rehab Clinic will determine which LIFEBACK program is best for you. Programs can range from a comprehensive, 4-day program for the lower back to a program consisting of three (1.5 hour) visits.

Whatever the time commitment, remember that chronic back pain most likely has already caused you to miss significant amounts of work time due to bed rest, physical therapy sessions or repeated trips to your clinic. Our data shows that the vast majority of LIFEBACK program patients significantly reduce or end such visits, and that 94% are satisfied with their recovery one year post program. These patient results strongly indicate that LIFEBACK programs offer you the most time-efficient and cost-effective means to alleviate your chronic back pain and restore your quality of life.

Q. With my back pain, how can I sit through training if I’m in the four-day program?

A: LIFEBACK programs are active programs. Our experienced spine rehab therapists are aware of the need for back pain sufferers to change positions frequently to minimize discomfort. The program is structured into a variety of activities, including strengthening and stretching sessions, and spine unloading therapy sessions that take the weight off the lumbar spine. In more than 90% of the cases, patients actually see their pain decrease as they progress through the sessions, and grow more comfortable throughout the program.

Q. Can people who have had surgery benefit from LIFEBACK spine programs?

A: Definitely. Approximately 30% of Spine Rehab Clinic patients have had previous surgery, and they have reported excellent patient satisfaction. More and more surgeons are making LIFEBACK programs a part of their post-operative care because these programs restore soft tissue flexibility and strength, reduce disuse atrophy, and increase generalized endurance needed to speed recovery, prevent post-surgical complications and restore function.

Q. What does the program cost? Is it covered by my insurance?

A: Your out-of-pocket expenses depend on your medical insurance coverage. More than 400 medical insurers provide coverage for LIFEBACK Spine Programs, so chances are excellent that you are eligible for reimbursement. Once your physician refers you to a program, a LIFEBACK patient services coordinator will work with your insurance company or worker’s comp to determine the amount of coverage available to you. You will receive this information before your initial evaluation so that you can review the benefit amount before you begin the program.

Whatever your out-of-pocket expenses, we believe they will be far less than what you will pay for doctor visits, physical therapy or pain medicine if your chronic back pain persists. See for yourself how LIFEBACK programs have stopped or reduced the need for other treatments by going to Proof.

Furthermore, LIFEBACK programs also help people get back to work, which gets you earning money again faster.