Ways to relieve back pain without opioids or surgery
Back pain is no joke. But you don’t have to just grin and bear it. Here are six effective treatment options to discuss with your doctor.
If you’re among the tens of millions of Americans looking for alternatives to opioid painkillers or surgery for ongoing back problems, there’s good news: There are plenty of alternative treatment options for back pain that can provide just as much (if not more) relief.
In fact, most patients with chronic back pain won’t benefit from surgery, says Jianguo Cheng, M.D., Ph.D., past president of the American Academy of Pain Medicine. He also notes that opioids should always be one of the last options you and your doctor discuss.
According to Dr. Cheng, what does help is often a mix-and-match combination of treatments. Here’s a closer look at some of those therapies.
1. Physical or chiropractic therapy
Long gone are the days when rest was prescribed for aching backs. Today, we know that strengthening core muscles plays a key role in stabilizing the spine and helping your back withstand more stress. Physical therapy and stretching are two of the best treatment options for back pain. Although the exercises prescribed for back pain vary from patient to patient, it’s important to take your therapist’s orders seriously and perform all the exercises they recommend.
Although chiropractors can be a viable option for pain relief, always check with your medical doctor first. There are health risks associated with seeing a chiropractor if you have certain health conditions, including arthritis and osteoporosis.
Best for: All types of chronic back pain
2. Yoga and stretching
A recent review of studies found that yoga, when compared with non-exercise management of low back pain, was associated with improvements in pain intensity, pain-related disability, and physical functioning. And when compared with exercise management, yoga worked just as well. It is important, however, that the yoga exercises be gentle (no power yoga) and focus on the back and legs. Make sure to attend classes at a qualified center with experience in back pain management. And don’t try to do a specific exercise if it feels painful or uncomfortable.
Best for: Moderate chronic back pain
3. Nerve blockers
If your doctor has pinpointed the exact cause and location of your pain, you may be a candidate for either an epidural steroid injection, a facet joint injection, or a lumbar sympathetic blocker.
The evidence for nerve blockers is generally good, but the results can vary from patient to patient. Some individuals experience immediate relief, while others may not notice any substantial benefits for a few weeks or until they’ve had a few series of injections. (They’re often repeated three to six times a year.) These treatments are frequently prescribed along with physical therapy.
Best for: Back pain with a known cause, although some doctors use them to rule out certain causes of pain, if patients don’t respond to the injection.
4. Balloon kyphoplasty
To treat a vertical compression fracture, your doctor may recommend inserting an orthopedic balloon directly into the affected portion of the spine. The inflated balloon lifts and repositions the damaged bone, then a bone cement injection holds it in place.
Best for: Vertebral compression fractures
5. Electrotherapy
The evidence for TENS units (or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators) is mixed, but many doctors say it’s worth a try for temporary relief. Here, battery-powered electrodes placed on your skin block incoming pain signals from the peripheral nerves. The stimulation is thought to release a flood of pain-numbing endorphins.
Best for: Nerve-related pain
6. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a centuries-old method of relieving pain through the insertion of super-thin needles into specific points on the body. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says that studies have shown acupuncture can help with back pain, and the effects can last up to a year after the treatment ends. Plus, acupuncture is virtually painless, so it could be worth it to give it a shot.
Best for: Moderate chronic back pain
Whether you're dealing with ongoing discomfort or occasional flare-ups, there are many ways to manage back pain without relying on opioids or surgery. Talk to your doctor about these alternatives to find the right combination of therapies that can help you get back to living your life with less pain and more freedom.
