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Fortunately, there are many treatments for back pain. These treatments can range from simple exercises to more intense interventions like spinal fusion surgery. Your health care provider will help you determine the best course of treatment for your back pain. A doctor may prescribe medicines or physical therapy, and may also recommend complementary therapies such as acupuncture or chiropractic care.
Different types of back pain are treated differently, and the best approach depends on the etiology and location of your pain. Pain in your back can be sharp or aching, or it may feel like spasms. It can be uncomfortable to turn in certain directions, and may also radiate down one or both legs. Acute back pain can interfere with your ability to sleep, go to work, or lift heavy objects. It can also affect your mood. You may feel irritable, worried, or even depressed. You may also feel anxious and helpless when you are experiencing back pain.
Treatment for back pain can include targeted exercises for back strengthening, flexibility, and posture. Physical therapy can also help you learn modifications to your activities and posture to prevent back pain. For more severe pain, surgery may be necessary. However, surgery is only a last resort, and is recommended for serious cases where non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have failed to relieve the pain.
Although there are several causes of back pain, it is important to visit a doctor as soon as you begin to notice any symptoms. It is important to get medical care early if you’re prone to infection, or are taking intravenous medications. However, most back pain is mild and resolves on its own after a few weeks. In fact, nine out of 10 patients will recover from back pain within two months.
There are various options for treating back pain, including spinal fusion surgery. For chronic low back pain, nonpharmacologic treatments such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or physiotherapy (such as massage) have been shown to have some benefits. However, there is only moderate evidence that opioids can help. Patients should discuss the risks and benefits of these treatments with their doctors.
The American Pain Society recommends surgical intervention for those with severe or persistent low back pain that has impaired their quality of life for a year or longer. Surgical procedures include facet joint and spinal fusion. However, mixed evidence exists for most invasive procedures. The most commonly performed invasive procedures include epidural steroid injections, injection therapy, spinal fusion, and lumbar disk replacement.
Spinal cord stimulation is another way to relieve back pain without surgery. It works by delivering an electrical pulse directly to the spinal cord. This blocks the neuron fibers’ ability to transmit pain signals to the brain. Radiofrequency ablation is another option. Radiofrequency ablation is a form of laser treatment, in which radio waves are passed over a nerve to stop pain signals.
