A Chris Update

Chris' doctor has said he needs to follow a treatment protocol set by the medical insurance company. It works like this:

STEP 1. Someone comes in with severe back pain. Treatment: Doctor prescribes pain medication, muscle relaxants, and anti-inflamatory medicine. If it works, good. Stop treatment (or continue medications as the situation warrants) and keep an eye on it. If it does not work, go to step 2.

STEP 2. Continue medications as needed and send patient for a course in physio-therapy. If it works, great. Keep and eye on it and prescribe medications as needed. If it doesn't work, go on to step 3.

STEP 3. Refer patient to a surgeon who specializes in the appropriate condition. Surgeon orders tests like CT scans or MRI scans and decides on treatment. If needed, perform surgery to correct condition in the back. If it works, everybody is happy, most of all the patient. If it does not work, shoot the patient.

No, I'm kidding. I don't know what comes after Step 3.

So Chris went through step 1, and now has to go on to step 2.

He starts physio-therapy on Monday.