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Take Control of Back Pain |
Manage Pain Before it Manages You
Learn skills to better cope with pain
This 12-session program teaches safe, effective self-care skills proven to reduce and even eliminate pain symptoms, incorporating the NeuroBehavioral pain management technique and mindfulness meditation.
- To learn more about the NeuroBehavioral technique for controlling pain immediately, read more about it or watch this video to see how it works.
- To learn more about mindfulness meditation, watch this video series presented by Community Psychiatry.
- Contact Community Psychiatry at (888) 737-7712 for information on upcoming classes.
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Learn to Turn Off Your Pain
Our NeuroBehavioral Pain Management telephone training program teaches people with chronic pain to reduce and even eliminate pain by using simple word commands instead of medication. Read more about the program or watch this video to see how it works.
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Explore Complementary Approaches to Managing Back Pain
Learn how chiropractic therapy, massage, acupuncture, and other integrative therapies can help. More information. . .
Watch our Back Pain Relief Video Series
Explore daily self-care skills to cope with acute or chronic back pain and learn how to tap into your body’s natural ability to heal itself in these five-minute web videos.
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Acute Back Pain Relief
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Chronic Back
Pain Relief
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Self Care & Wellness
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Discounted Massage Services for Hill Physicians Members
We're pleased to partner with independent massage therapists to offer Hill Physicians members a 15 percent discount on massage services. To locate a participating therapist near you, contact Member Health Improvement.
Discounted Yoga Classes for Hill Physicians Members
We're pleased to partner with independent yoga instructors to offer Hill Physicians members a 15 percent discount on yoga classes. To find a class near you, contact Member Health Improvement. (Take special precautions to avoid yoga postures that can worsen back pain.)
Acupuncture and Chiropractic Care for Hill Physicians Members
Some, but not all, Hill Physicians members have acupuncture and/or chiropractic benefits. Contact your health plan to determine your eligibility and how to locate a contracted provider. In limited circumstances, Hill Physicians will authorize a trial of acupuncture or chiropractic care for members who have pain without a health plan benefit upon physician request.
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Consider Physical Therapy
Back pain management often involves physical therapy (PT) to improve physical function and regain strength and flexibility. Hill Physicians members have access to PT through physician referral. If you have not already received a referral, ask your physician to refer you to a physical therapy provider that specializes in treating pain conditions.
You should expect that virtually all of your PT visits will include active therapeutic exercise at the PT office. In addition, you will be given a home exercise program that will help you maintain your gains between visits. To make progress, it is essential that you take responsibility for your exercise program and follow the plan that you and your therapist have outlined. Do not rely on passive physical therapy treatments like heat and ultrasound or having a physical therapist move your muscles by moving your limbs.
Sacramento-area residents are encouraged to participate in Back in Action. This physical therapy program involves up to five exercise-oriented visits with a physical therapist trained to help people alleviate back pain while becoming stronger and more active. If you’re ready to commit to an exercise program for your back, ask your physician for a referral, call Member Health Improvement at (855) 644-4764, or email us at health@hpmg.com.
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Get Moving - Safely
Staying active when you're experiencing back pain can be difficult, but gentle activity like walking and yoga can help strengthen muscles, increase flexibility and relieve pain. Learn more about how to protect your back while staying active.
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Make Back Pain Treatment Decisions that are Right for You
You are an important partner in making decisions about your healthcare. There are many factors to consider when making a decision. The following guides can help you identify these considerations and focus on what is best for you.
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Address Your Stress
Pain naturally causes a stress reaction in the body, and stress itself can contribute to the sensation of pain. Research shows that learning stress management techniques can improve your ability to function physically, perform the activities of daily living and help to reduce your pain.
Our collection of stress management tools can help you to break this stress-pain cycle to better manage your pain. Check out our stress management tools for coping with back pain.
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Increase Your Coping Skills
Chronic pain can lead to depression or anxiety when you feel like your condition is not getting better. Learn more about how pain is linked to depression. If you think you might be experiencing depression, visit our Depression Online Health Center for self-care tips and information on how to find a behavioral health provider.
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Learn More About Back Pain |
Watch our Back Pain Relief Web Video Series
Explore daily self-care skills to cope with acute or chronic back pain and learn how to tap into your body’s natural ability to heal itself in these five-minute web videos.
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Acute Back Pain Relief
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Chronic Back
Pain Relief
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Self Care & Wellness
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The Back Story
Learn about one woman's journey to resolving her back pain - without surgery or medications. Read The Back Story.
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When You're Facing a Diagnosis
When you're experiencing pain, you might find it hard to focus on the behaviors necessary for successfully coping with a chronic health problem, such as eating well, exercising, sleeping well, taking medications as directed, managing stress and communicating with your physicians. Learn how to cope when you're facing a chronic pain diagnosis.
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Learn How Integrative Therapies Can Heal Back Pain
Treatments such as chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, physical therapy and psychotherapy can help reduce pain. Learn about these integrative therapies.
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Download our Tips for Managing Acute Back Pain
More than 80% of adults will suffer from back pain at some time in their lives. The good news is 90% of acute (new) back pain cases will get better within six weeks. Here are some things you can do in the meantime to help your back heal.
Tips for Managing Acute Back Pain 
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Health Library Topics
We’re proud to partner with Healthwise to deliver the Healthwise Knowledgebase® to you. The following topics have been selected to help you learn more about causes of back pain, how it is diagnosed and treatment options.
General Overviews and Common Causes of Back Pain
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Tests for Diagnosing and Monitoring Back Pain
Most low back pain has a nonspecific and nonserious cause and will get better on its own. In these cases, imaging studies are often not needed to determine appropriate treatment and might lead to further unnecessary tests. If you are considering having an imaging test, ask your physician how the results of the test will impact your treatment.
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Back Pain Treatment Options
These are medications and other therapies your doctor may recommend to help you manage back pain.
Behavioral Approaches to Managing Pain
Medications
Medically Administered Injections
Surgical Procedures
With few exceptions, back surgery is no more effective than conservative care for most back pain. Learn what to ask your doctor about surgical options before making a decision about surgery. If you are considering surgery for a herniated disc, our surgery for herniated disc decision guide can help you weigh the pros and cons of choosing surgery. If you ultimately decide to have surgery, be sure to listen to our Preparing for Surgery and Healing from Surgery audio podcasts to learn how the mind-body connection works to speed healing.
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Hill Physicians Pain Management Programs |
Health Classes
Manage Pain Before it Manages You
Learn safe, effective self-care skills proven to reduce or even eliminate pain symptoms. Contact Community Psychiatry at (888) 737-7712 for information on upcoming classes.
Hill Physicians Member Health Improvement Resources
Hill Physicians' Member Health Improvement department can connect Hill Physicians members with discounted yoga classes and massage therapists near where you live or work. Our staff also can refer you to pain management programs if offered by your health plan. Contact our Member Health Improvement department for more information on these valuable resources.
NeuroBehavioral Telephonic Pain Management Program
Our NeuroBehavioral Pain Management telephone training program teaches people with chronic pain to reduce and even eliminate pain by using simple word commands instead of medication. Learn more about the program.
Hill Physicians Case Management for Chronic Pain
Hill Physicians' experienced nurse case managers are dedicated to supporting you as you determine the best steps for managing your chronic pain. To access Case Management services, contact our Member Health Improvement department for a referral. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and the city where you live and specify you are requesting chronic pain case management. Learn more about Hill Physicians Case Management services . . .
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Living with Back Pain |
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Hill Physicians is dedicated to providing people with back pain and their families with tools for live a healthy, active life.
Tracking Your Symptoms and Medications
Tracking your pain and other symptoms can help you recognize your progress over time. Keeping accurate records of all current medications (including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements) can help you remember how and when to take different medications and it gives your doctor(s) a clear picture of all the medications you use. This is especially helpful if you see more than one physician.
Periodically review your symptom diaries to track your progress. What were you doing when your pain and other symptoms were better? What were you doing when your symptoms got worse? Bring copies of your symptom diaries and medication log to each medical appointment to share with your physician. In addition, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are trained to look for health information on refrigerator, so keep a current medication log posted on yours.
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Staying Active
Staying active and exercising regularly is an important part of the healing process. The key is to find activities that are appropriate for your situation. Some find walking, stretches or gentle yoga to be helpful. Bed rest is not usually recommended, as staying in bed for 4 days or more may weaken your muscles and significantly slow your recovery. However, if you are in severe pain, bed rest for 3 days or fewer may help decrease pain.
Getting Help For Depression
It's not unusual for those with chronic pain to experience depression as you learn to adjust to the changes - like limited mobility - that accompany pain. Recognizing your feelings about these changes and getting help for depression are important steps in taking control of your pain.
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Managing Stress
Pain naturally causes a stress reaction in the body, and stress itself can contribute to the sensation of pain. Research shows that learning stress management techniques can improve your ability to function physically, perform the activities of daily living and help to reduce your pain.
Improving Your Sleep
Studies show a restful night can reduce your risk for injury and illness as well as help you avoid emotional problems such as depression and anxiety.
Complementing Your Care with Integrative Therapies
Complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM, approaches can help you manage back pain. CAM includes complementary treatments, such as massage, yoga and meditation, that are used with traditional approaches as well as therapies that are used as an alternative to traditional care, such as learning to turn off your pain rather than taking medicines or pursuing surgery.
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Support and Resources |
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Hill Physicians recommends the following support groups and other resources for those coping with back pain.
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