In most offices you’re lucky if you get 15 minutes with the doctor, barely enough time to scratch the surface, especially if you’re struggling with a long history of chronic back pain. That’s why my initial visit can be up to 3 hours long. It sounds like a long time, but it goes by fast when it is filled by a detailed history (I want to hear your story, all of it), a thorough exam that isn’t finished until we have determined what exactly is causing your pain and why, and the formulation of a plan that empowers you to make the changes necessary to significantly improve your pain levels and quality of life.