LifeSynch Personal Health Coaching: We've Got Your Back When it Comes to Better Back Health

Back pain may result from a recent injury, surgery, poor ergonomics in the home and workplace or other circumstances. When a member calls a health coach or contacts him/her online via e-mail or an online chat, the health coach will partner with the member to develop a back care plan that fits the member's lifestyle.

"I think a lot of the members feel they're going to be more successful when they have accountability and they're working with a coach," said Hall, a registered nurse for 20 years and a health coach for five years. "It's like any partnership. It works when you have someone encouraging you."

Setting Realistic Goals Together

Hall said she works with a member to determine their existing pain level, target pain level and maps out a strategy after "brainstorming" with them. "We set goals," she said. "Then we put it into an overall action plan and set goals for the next two weeks. We don't tell them what to do. It's better if it's something they come up with because they feel it is doable and it'll get done."

Hall said she always encourages members to follow their physical therapists' recommendations and to resume physical therapy or visit their pain management physician when helpful. She said she does see some trends leading to back pain:

• Inactivity - She encourages members to incorporate more physical activity into their daily lives in ways that are enjoyable.
• Overweight - She noted members often don't connect excess weight with back pain. She encourages members to shed excess weight as a strategy for managing back pain.
• Poor ergonomics - People often spend all day at their desks without taking breaks or their office is not set up properly and can lead to back pain. She suggests simple options like taking breaks every two hours to stretch. She noted providing good lumbar support to your office chair can be as simple as rolling up a towel and placing it behind your lower back.

Finding the Right Solution for Each Individual

Regardless of the approach, Hall said it's important to set goals that fit each individual. "You try to help them set small goals that are action-oriented, realistic and measurable, she said. "People like to be able to track success."

Hall said one health coaching participant was not enthusiastic about his physical therapy and needed more physical activity in his life. She suggested a Humana program for seniors eligible for Medicare, Silver Sneakers. He followed her suggestion and began exercising daily as a part of the program. "He called to tell me he loves it and is there five times a week," she said.

Hall said the key to successful change is to keep trying new things. This philosophy has been one of the driving forces in her career and led her to becoming a coach. Hall, a nurse who worked alongside physicians during labor and deliveries, transplants and ER triage, knew she wanted to make a difference in helping people become healthier.

"As a nurse, I worked with individuals with chronic conditions, but I wanted to be proactive in a way that empowers members to take charge of their health so that they don't reach that chronic stage," she said.

Her decision led her to becoming a health coach five years ago, and today she counsels health coaching participants to try healthy living and strategies for improving their physical and mental health on a daily basis. "I tell them, 'What have you got to lose?'" she said. "' Just give it a try.'"

Interested in Trying Health Coaching?

To find out if you qualify for health coaching at no cost to you as part of a wellness program, contact your human resources department.