Do you have back pain? Don't despair. Whether it is sudden or creeps up on you gradually back pain and sciatica can be one of the most distressing, painful and isolating events. I understand. It can affect all areas of your life, is often difficult to explain and is invisible to most people around you. If you have back pain and feel miserable, misunderstood and isolated you are not alone...

Through my experiences with back pain and sciatica I learnt by hard lessons a few ways to negotiate through the mental, emotional and physical maze of back pain which I would love to share with you.

- Consult a healthcare professional over any back pain symptoms that bother you. Don't suffer in silence. Tackle any issues when they happen and while they are minor.

- No one cares about your back like you do and always remember YOU are in control. Whatever you read, whoever tells you what to do, whatever remedies or treatments and procedures are suggested to you, you are the one who will live with your back. Ask good questions about what the treatment involves, how many treatments you will require, any side effects and the success rate for your condition. If back surgery is suggested make sure you understand fully what any surgical procedures entail and the aftercare required. Ask about all the possible back pain treatment options for your condition before you decide what to do. Ask about back surgery success rates for your condition. Check with your healthcare provider if any medical or surgical procedure is urgent or essential. It is really about communication and working together with your healthcare team. Don't be a passive patient, be a proactive partner in your back care and treatment.

- Keep pursuing your solution. If one back pain treatment doesn't work, try another. If you try new products check out the refund policy. If you are having back pain treatments don't sign up for long contracts unless you know it works for you. It is essential to keep track of what is working and what is not working for you. Ask questions of the professionals and make sure you know how any planned treatments are intended to help you. Most treatments take a while to work and may require time and commitment. It is important to listen to your body, and let that be your guide.

- Never ever give up searching for what works for you.

- When seeking back pain relief it is important to educate yourself about all the possible physical solutions which may be discussed with you. Get as much back pain information as you can find. For many of us a combination of solutions works most effectively. You need to have your physical condition effectively evaluated then listen to your body to see which suits you. Try to get to the root cause of your issues and tackle that along with the symptoms.

- It is also vital when coping with back pain to nurture and protect your spirit and inner core as that will make all the difference in keeping you inspired, motivated and positive. Your mind is very powerful and you can use this to your advantage when coping with back pain. Read inspiring books, listen to motivational CDs, watch great films, enjoy your music, spend time with family and friends, walking on the beach, stroking your dog, meditating...whatever makes you feel happy, healthy, uplifted and content.

- We all have stress in our lives, and being in pain can make stress so much worse and so a vicious cycle begins. If stress affects you consider one of the many stress reduction CDs around to help you control the negative stress.

- It may be the case with back pain that life seems limited and usual activities are out of bounds. Think about or even better write down what you CAN do and do those things. Do not dwell on what you cannot do. Be grateful for everything that is good in your life. Focusing on the negative and what you cannot do makes it worse. Focus on the positive and what you can do.

- For everyday chores that you find difficult think if there is another way to do them. Consider internet shopping, delegate tasks; swap the usual tasks around the family. Move where items you need regularly are kept so you can be independent in getting them. Do a little then take a break, go easy on yourself. If you can, consider buying in some short term help.

- If you have back pain it can also be hard on those who love you. Try to spend a little calm time discussing how you will handle this together and how you can make it easier for yourselves to handle. Communication and understanding is the key here.

- YOU are so much more than your "bad back." Always remember that.

Back pain is a tough call. You are stronger than you think ...and you are not alone.

To find out more information and inspiration about coping with back pain, seeking back pain relief, and possible solutions to help visit: http://www.mypetback.com