Back pain relief without surgery

Back pain is incredibly common. In fact, about 65 million Americans have experienced a recent episode of back pain, while nearly 8% of adults live with chronic back pain, according to a recent study.

The good news? Relief may be closer than you think.

According to Yusef Jordan, MD, orthopaedic surgeon at Loma Linda University Health, there are several less-invasive options that can help manage back pain before surgery becomes necessary.

What causes back pain?

According to Jordan, the three most common causes of back pain are:

• Muscular strain, dysfunction, or imbalance

• Degenerative changes

• Nerve compression

Other causes may include arthritis-related joint pain or issues originating in the hips and knees.

"It's not uncommon for patients to come in with back pain that's actually being caused by an altered gait from knee or hip problems," Jordan says.

Managing back pain at home

Back pain can be difficult to treat because identifying the exact cause isn't always straightforward.

"While there are some common causes of back pain, it can also stem from anything from poor posture to referred pain from the kidneys," Jordan says.

Still, there are several ways to manage symptoms at home.

Activity Modification

Simple changes to daily activities can make a significant difference.

This may include adjusting how you sit, stand, or lift objects. For example, if lifting weights consistently triggers your pain, consider modifying your technique or reducing the amount of weight you're lifting.

Hot and Cold Therapy

Heat and cold are among the easiest and most effective ways to address an acute flare-up.

Heat therapy may include:

• Heating pads

• Warm baths

• Warm or steamed towels

Cold therapy includes:

• Ice packs

• Gel wraps

• Cold baths or showers

"A combination of hot or cold therapy and activity modification is one of the easiest ways to manage back pain and can also be one of the most effective," Jordan says. "Together, they can help calm significant pain flare-ups relatively quickly."

Over-the-Counter Medications

Anti-inflammatory medications and analgesics such as Tylenol can also be helpful for controlling symptoms.

When it's time to seek additional treatment

If you've tried these approaches and aren't seeing meaningful improvement, it may be time to talk with your doctor.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is one of the most effective non-surgical treatments for many forms of back pain.

"Whether it's arthritic changes, muscular problems, or nerve compression, physical therapy can be a very successful and helpful treatment option," Jordan says.

As with building strength, pain relief through physical therapy takes time and consistency.

Targeted Injections

For patients experiencing nerve-related pain, treatments such as epidural steroid injections can help reduce inflammation and provide relief.

Advanced Minimally Invasive Therapies

Other less-invasive options include:

• Radiofrequency ablation: Uses heat to interrupt pain signals.

• Intracept® procedure: Uses radiofrequency energy to target nerves associated with chronic lower back pain.

Managing Expectations

One important thing Jordan encourages patients to remember is that completely eliminating back pain isn't always realistic.

"Around 80% of people will experience back pain at some point in their lives," Jordan says.

"The goal is to manage the pain and maintain function, not necessarily eliminate it altogether."

Loma Linda University Health's Pain and Spine Center is committed to treating and managing pain- and spine-related disorders. Learn more at lluh.org/services/pain-spine or schedule an appointment by calling 909-558-4484.