Understanding Back Pain - Treatment

What Are the Treatments? continued...

Knowing the cause of the pain and fixing the problem if possible should be primary in the course of your treatment, however.

Some physicians advocate using a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS), although whether TENS is clearly helpful for back pain has not been resolved. Electrodes taped to the body carry a mild electric current that helps relieve pain. After appropriate training, patients can use TENS on their own to help reduce pain while they recover from strained or moderately injured backs.

Surgery for nonspecific back pain is a last resort. In cases of persistent pain from extreme nerve damage, rhizotomy -- surgically severing a nerve -- may be necessary to stop transmission of pain to the brain. Rhizotomy can correct the symptoms caused by friction between the surfaces in a spinal joint, but it doesn't address other problems, such as Herniated Discs.

Chiropractors have a role in the treatment of back pain. The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recognizes spinal manipulation by chiropractors and osteopaths as effective for acute low-back pain. Its effectiveness for treating chronic back pain is less well established. Some researchers suggest that early chiropractic adjustments for acute back pain may prevent chronic problems from developing. Other doctors warn against some chiropractic manipulations, particularly those that involve rapid twisting of the neck.
Osteopathic treatment is likely to combine drug therapy with spinal manipulation or traction, followed by physical therapy and exercise.

Acupuncture may bring moderate to complete pain relief for many sufferers. It can be used alone or as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes medications and other bodywork. Clinical achievements, along with positive research results, prompted the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to declare acupuncture a reasonable treatment option for those suffering low back pain.

If you consult a psychotherapist for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), your treatment may include stress management, behavioral adaptation, education, and relaxation techniques. CBT can lessen the intensity of back pain, change perceptions about levels of pain and disability, and even lift depression. The NIH considers CBT useful for relieving Low Back Pain, citing studies that show CBT to be superior to routine care and placebo.
Other comprehensive behavioral programs have shown similar success, with participants able to lessen the amount of medication they needed while improving their outlook and pain-related behavior.

If lower back pain is related to muscle tension or spasm, biofeedback can be effective for lessening pain intensity, decreasing drug use, and improving quality of life. Biofeedback may help you train your muscles to respond better to stress or movement.

The Alexander Technique, Pilates, and the Feldendkrais Method are all specialized forms of body work that help you learn to move in a more coordinated, flexible, and graceful manner. They may help reduce pain and can relieve stress. Some of the postures of yoga may help diminish Low Back Pain, improve flexibility, strength, and sense of balance. Yoga is good for stress reduction and can help with the psychological aspects of pain.
Aquatic therapy and exercise can also improve flexibility and decrease pain for those with chronic low back problems. The unique properties of water make it an especially safe environment for exercising a sore back; it provides gentle resistance, comfort, and relaxation.

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