You are not willing or able to do 6 to 12 months of nonsurgical treatment.

Surgery may be considered after 6 to 12 months of nonsurgical treatment.

In general, surgery is not considered until after several weeks to months of nonsurgical treatment.

Your doctor usually will start nonsurgical treatment without further testing.

You have been using nonsurgical treatments for less than 6 months.

Symptoms are still present after a long period of nonsurgical treatment.

I still want to try other types of nonsurgical treatment to see if it will help with my back pain.

You still have symptoms after a long period of nonsurgical treatment.

I'd like to find out if other nonsurgical treatments would work for me.

Nonsurgical treatment may be started even if the tests are just slightly positive.