Is your daily life dictated by back pain that limits your movement or ability to walk, bend or sit? If you suffer from back pain, as do about 620 million people worldwide, [1] you may want to explore non-surgical options first to relieve back pain, improve your mood and get back to enjoying life. Various solutions for back pain without surgery include lifestyle changes, physical therapy and pain management treatments.
What is Causing Your Chronic Back Pain?
Chronic back pain can result from various conditions, such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease.[2] Other contributing factors include muscle or ligament strain, arthritis, osteoporosis, and poor posture.[2] Persistent pain may also be due to underlying medical issues like infections or tumors.[2]
Non-Surgical Treatments for Chronic Back Pain
For some patients, surgery may be the best option, but if you aren’t ready to take that step, various alternative treatments do not include going under the knife. From lifestyle changes and massage therapy to injections and nerve blocks, there are many non-surgical options available for managing back pain.
Lifestyle Changes and Self Care
Some changes can be made right at home, without a prescription, such as:
Exercise and Physical Activity
Regular exercise can help reduce back pain and prevent future injuries by strengthening your back and core.[3] Exercise also improves your range of movement, reducing pain and maintaining balance on both sides of your body.[3] Low-intensity movements like yoga, Pilates and tai chi provide mind relaxation while improving strength and flexibility.[4]
Proper Posture
Incorrect posture may cause back pain. Correcting your posture when sitting or standing may relieve back pain as well as neck and shoulder pain.[5] If you spend a lot of time sitting at your workstation, ensure it’s ergonomically set up with your computer screen at eye level and your feet flat on the ground.
Weight Management
Carrying excess weight, especially around the abdomen, can stress your back muscles and spine.[4] Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can significantly reduce back pain, but discuss your ideal weight with your healthcare provider.
Physical Therapies
Passive and active physical therapies include options such as:
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy involves exercises, stretches, and manual techniques to improve mobility and strength.[6] A physical therapist can design a personalized program to address your back pain issues.[6]
Chiropractic Care
If your doctor approves chiropractic care, it focuses on improving spinal alignment, reducing pain, and enhancing physical function using spinal manipulation and other techniques.[7]
Massage Therapy
If you were looking for an excuse to book that massage, here it is! Massage relaxes tense muscles, improves blood flow, and reduces pain. Techniques such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, and trigger point therapy are commonly used to treat back pain.[4]
Non-Surgical Treatments by Pain Management Specialists
Pain management specialists offer a variety of non-surgical treatments that can relieve back pain beyond self-care and your primary care provider (PCP). These treatments are often used with physical therapy and lifestyle changes for optimal results.
- Medications: Pain management specialists may prescribe medications to help control back pain and reduce inflammation. These can include Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxers and antidepressants.[4]
- Epidural Steroid Injections: Epidural steroid injections involve injecting a corticosteroid into the epidural space around the spinal nerves.[7] This can reduce inflammation and provide pain relief for several months.
- Nerve Blocks: Nerve blocks involve injecting an anesthetic near specific nerves to block pain signals. These can be used for diagnostic purposes or for longer-term pain relief, along with physical therapy and medication. [4]
- Radiofrequency Ablation: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses heat generated by radio waves to destroy specific nerve fibers that transmit pain signals to the brain.[8] This treatment can provide longer-lasting pain relief compared to other injection therapies.[8]
- Disc Decompression: According to WebMD, this non-surgical, non-pharmacological procedure uses traction to stretch your spine gently. Disc decompression requires a series of treatments but helps bulging or herniated disc pain, sciatica and injured spinal nerve roots.[9]
Back pain can be debilitating, but numerous non-surgical treatments are available to help manage and alleviate chronic pain. From lifestyle changes to advanced treatments provided by pain management specialists, there are many ways to address back pain without surgery. Always consult a healthcare professional to determine the best treatment plan for your condition.
Resources:
- Low back pain. World Health Organization [Internet]. June 19, 2023. Accessed May 24, 2024. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/low-back-pain
- Cleveland Clinic Staff. Low Back Pain: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatments. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. January 18, 2021. Accessed May 24, 2023. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7936-lower-back-pain
- Harvard Health Publishing. Back Pain – Harvard Health. Harvard Health [Internet]. 2019. Accessed May 24, 2024. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/back-pain
- 12 Ways To Treat Your Back Pain Without Surgery. Cleveland Clinic. Accessed May 24, 2024. Available from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/chronic-back-pain-nonsurgical-treatments-prevention
- Berry J. Treating back pain without surgery: 11 alternative treatment options. Medical News Today [Internet]. June 29, 2019. Accessed May 24, 2024. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325609
- 7 Ways to Treat Chronic Back Pain Without Surgery. JOHNS HOPKINS MEDICINE [Internet]. 2019. Accessed May 24, 2024. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/back-pain/7-ways-to-treat-chronic-back-pain-without-surgery
- Peloza J. Non-Surgical Treatments for Lower Back Pain. Spine-health. 2014. Updated April 20, 2017. Accessed May 24, 2024. Available from: https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain/non-surgical-treatments-lower-back-pain
- Cleveland Clinic Staff. Radiofrequency Ablation | Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. 2019. Accessed May 24, 2024. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17411-radiofrequency-ablation
- WebMD Editorial Contributors. Spinal Decompression Therapy. WebMD [Internet]. Accessed May 24, 2024. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/spinal-decompression-therapy-surgical-nonsurgical
