Please provide some do's and don'ts on living with ongoing pain.

Ignore: Statistically, surgical benefit for back pain equal to medical tx after 5 years.

Ignore: Do exercise, do meditate, do stretch, don't overuse medication, don't complain, do relax.

Ignore: Pain medication will not cure the pain but it only decreases the intensity.

Ignore: Stay active, get restful sleep every night, and eat right. Take medications only to help you do more.

Ignore: Make yourself busy and do not think of it all the time.

Ignore: Some people find meditation helpful, yoga, pain counseling also give good results.

Ignore: Musculoskeletal soft tissue causes common; best discerned by Osteopath rather than imaging studies.

Ignore: Stay active as much as tolerated. Inactivity can make pain symptoms worse.

Ignore: Do not concentrate on what you pain prevents you from doing but what you can still despite the pain.

Ignore: DO- recognize your pain triggers; develop & an effective & empowering relationship w/ your doctor(s).

Ignore: Track your pain level and activities every day. A pain diary helps doctor to understand your pain.