When should I see a doctor for back pain?
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease (NIAMS), it is not necessary to see a doctor for back pain in most cases because the pain usually goes away. However, you may consider seeing a doctor if you have numbness or tingling, if your pain is severe and doesn’t improve with Over-the-Counter (OTC) medication and rest, or if you have pain after a fall or injury. It is also important to see your doctor if you have pain along with any of the following symptoms:
- Trouble urinating
- Weakness, pain or numbness in your legs
- Fever
- Unintentional weight loss
Chevron Phillips has an Informed Health Line through Aetna that is available to you 24 hours a day. A registered nurse will give you answers on a variety of health topics. So, if your back has been hurting and you aren’t sure if you should see a doctor, give them a call and see what they say. Call 1-800-556-1555.
Which type of doctor should I see?
NIAMS recommends seeing your primary care doctor first for back pain. In certain cases, your doctor may refer you to an appropriate specialist.
What are the best back pain preventive techniques?
- Exercise and stretch regularly to keep your back strong.
- Maintaining a healthy weight is important. The extra weight you carry adds more stress and strain on your back.
- Consume enough vitamin D and calcium every day to help prevent osteoporosis. You can consume these vitamins from green leafy vegetables, dairy products, the sun, etc.
- Alternate activities while doing repetitive tasks.
- Avoid smoking. Both the smoke and the nicotine cause your spine to age faster than normal.
NEW in 2010 – Live Healthy Chevron Phillips
Join the 100 day challenge to lose weight and/or exercise more! This on-line team based challenge will begin on January 14, 2010. Teams will be formed with 2 to 8 members. Registration begins in December. More details to come.
As you can see, it is imperative these messages are taken home so your family can also enjoy the personal benefits of a healthier life. If you would like your family members to receive these messages at home, please login to the Employee Service Center and provide a personal email address. You can accomplish this by following these simple steps:
- Go to the nSight homepage.
- Navigate to the top banner and click on "Portfolio" then "Employee Self Service"
- On the next screen, click "Employee Self Service" in the top banner
- Navigate to "Personal Information" , "personal Data" and "Edit"
- Enter your personal email address, click "Review" , then "Save"
Please contact the Take Care team at CPCRATakeCare@cpchem.com if you have questions or comments.
EHS and Human Resources are pleased to introduce a collaborative effort called the Take Care program. Take Care is an ongoing health and wellness program which is designed to encourage employees to take charge of their health by implementing lifestyle changes aimed to enhance their overall quality of life.
Purpose: To provide educational resources and tools to improve employee health, increase productivity, decrease absenteeism, and reduce injuries as well as illnesses.
Communications during the 4th Quarter of 2009 will be dedicated to Take Care of Your Back.
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