Top 5 Non-Surgical Treatments for Chronic Back Pain

One of the top reasons people see a doctor is for chronic back pain. In fact, 8 out of 10 people will experience chronic back pain at some point in their lives.

Experiencing chronic back pain can be frustrating, especially if it affects daily activities and persists longer than 12 weeks. Unfortunately, nearly 90% of chronic back pain causes are unknown, which makes treatment challenging.

Most doctors opt for non-invasive approaches to treatment before considering surgery, and only about 10% of back pain cases need surgery.

Dr. Melamed specializes in non-surgical approaches to chronic back pain treatment. Here are five of the top non-surgical treatments you might try if you’re experiencing chronic back pain.

Physical Therapy and Exercise Programs

Physical therapy is often recommended for chronic back pain because it can strengthen spinal muscles while improving flexibility and mobility. This type of therapy builds strength, so some of the pressure is removed from your spine.

A physical therapist might include low-impact exercises like swimming and walking, or techniques like stretching and massages, into your treatment plan.

Injection-Based Therapies

Injection-based therapies are a non-invasive alternative for people who don’t see back pain improvement with exercise alone. They are designed to target the source of someone’s pain and are performed with an anesthetic to make the area numb.

These therapies allow people with chronic back pain to better tolerate physical therapy and exercise.

Epidural Steroid Injections

Epidural steroid injections are commonly used to treat chronic back pain. These injections are typically used for conditions like herniated discs or spinal stenosis. They are designed to reduce swelling and relieve pain by targeting inflammation around irritated nerves in the spine by coating the affected nerve with a steroid. The injection will occur along your spine.

Facet Joint Injections

Facet joint injections treat pain in the small joints that connect each vertebra in the spine. These injections can either be done directly into these small joints or around them. When done around the joint, the medication goes into the inflamed area surrounding the joint.

The length of relief a person will get from a facet joint injection varies. For some, the injection provides short-term relief for 48 hours. For others, the relief is much longer, and can last for 3-6 months or longer.

Facet joint injections may be used to treat different types of arthritis-related back pain.

Nerve Blocks

Nerve blocks are designed to disrupt pain signals from nerves to alleviate pain. They work via injection of a local anesthetic and can be used to treat back pain conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and sciatica.

Mind–Body Approaches

Chronic back pain affects more than the body; it affects how we feel. Therapies that target both the mind and the body are important in treatment because they address symptoms like anxiety, stress, and depression, which can make back pain worse.

Mind–body therapies look at the emotional and cognitive factors that contribute to pain perception.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps people change the way they respond to pain by teaching them how to identify negative thought patterns and reframe them. Thinking more positively helps lessen the feeling of pain.

Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT is designed to reduce tension and improve mood and psychological flexibility by teaching techniques that help people learn to manage chronic pain. ACT focuses on getting people to understand their feelings, rather than changing them.

Meditation and Relaxation Techniques

Meditation can help to reduce stress-related muscle tension and calm the nervous system. Research shows that meditation-based therapy is advantageous over traditional treatments. Meditation improves the intensity of chronic lower back pain, disability associated with chronic lower back pain, and overall quality of life.

Manual and Alternative Therapies

Manual and alternative therapies are used to improve mobility and reduce muscle tension.

Chiropractic Adjustments and Spinal Manipulation

Chiropractic care is good for acute or mild back pain. It can offer a small improvement in pain and mobility, giving quick relief to some patients. These techniques are focused on correctly aligning the spine.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture uses small needles to reduce pain. An acupuncturist will insert these needles into specific parts of the body to promote healing. Acupuncture doesn’t hurt since the needles are very thin and placed just below the skin surface. People report feeling more energized and relaxed after acupuncture.

Comprehensive Lifestyle Modifications

Simple lifestyle changes can greatly improve chronic back pain and prevent flare-ups.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

When your body is carrying extra weight, it adds stress on your spine, causing back pain. Eating anti-inflammatory foods like brightly colored fruits, seeds, leafy greens, and nuts can improve back pain.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics refers to the study of people in their work environments. To support your spine — and reduce back pain — you should create a work station that uses lumbar support. A good workstation will have your spine in a neutral position with your back straight. Keeping screens at eye level and using supportive chairs to prevent long-term damage is also recommended.

Regular Movement

Regular movement is important in preventing chronic back pain because a sedentary lifestyle leads to joint degeneration and muscle stiffness. Particularly, focusing on core strength, flexibility, and aerobics is beneficial for alleviating back pain.

Make an Appointment With Dr. Hooman Melamed

If you’re experiencing back pain, you may want to reach out to a specialist who can incorporate some of these non-surgical treatments into your life.

Dr. Hooman Melamed is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon with many years of experience treating people with non-surgical back pain treatments.

Find out more about which non-surgical pain relief treatments might be right for you. Call 424-21-SPINE or click here to schedule your appointment.