Need Back Pain Relief? Riverside’s 10 Non-Surgical Treatments

Back pain affects around 40% of Americans — and for some, it can be so debilitating that it interferes with daily activities. Although it is more common in older people, back pain can affect anyone, at any age and for many reasons. For working adults, back pain is the number one reason they miss work or have limitations in the type of work they can do.

Although surgery can help in many cases, most people would rather not go to such lengths if they can avoid it. Read on to learn more about non-surgical back pain relief in Riverside.

10 Non-Surgical Treatments for Back Pain

There are many causes of back pain, ranging from simple problems like poor posture and muscle strain to back injury and chronic conditions like spinal stenosis, arthritis, herniated discs, sciatica, and pinched nerves. Thankfully, there are also several treatment options.

1. Physical Therapy

Physical therapy involves exercises and stretches that are designed to strengthen the muscles in your back, improve flexibility, and reduce pain.

During physical therapy, you will work with a licensed physical therapist who will create a customized treatment plan based on your specific needs. Your therapist may use a variety of techniques, including:

• Massage to improve circulation
• Heat or cold therapy to relax and loosen up the muscles
• Electrical stimulation to relieve muscle spasms
• Traction to relieve pressure on the spine
• Ultrasound to improve blood flow and relax the muscles and connective tissues

2. Medications

When it comes to treating back pain, there are a few over-the-counter medications that can be helpful, including acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve).

Over-the-counter medications can help reduce pain and inflammation for mild to moderate back pain, but they should not be used for long-term pain management. If you find yourself taking these medications every day or still in pain after taking the recommended dose, this may not be an appropriate treatment for your back pain.

3. Prescription

For more severe back pain, prescription medications may be necessary. Some prescription medications for back pain include muscle relaxants and pain medications. Since the risk of addiction and side effects is high with prescription medication, these are generally only a short-term solution.

4. Epidural Steroid Injections

Epidural steroid injections involve injecting a corticosteroid medication into the epidural space around your spinal cord. The goal of this treatment is to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. However, this is usually only a temporary solution, and additional injections may be needed for continued relief.

5. Facet Joint Injections

Facet joint injections are a minimally invasive procedure that involves injecting local anesthetic directly into the facet joint, which is the joint located on each side of each vertebra in the spine.

The difference between steroid injections and facet joint infections is that facet joint injections typically provide immediate but shorter-lasting pain relief, while steroid injections provide longer-lasting pain relief.

6. Nerve Blocks

Nerve blocks involve injecting a local anesthetic and sometimes a steroid medication into a specific nerve or group of nerves that are causing pain. This can help block the pain signals from reaching your brain and provide relief.

Nerve blocks can be used to treat a variety of conditions that cause back pain, including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and sciatica. They can also be used to diagnose the source of your pain by determining which nerves are causing the discomfort.

7. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a non-surgical complementary treatment that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points of the body. This ancient Chinese medicine technique is based on the idea that the body has energy channels called meridians. By stimulating these points, the flow of energy can be restored, promoting healing and reducing pain.

Acupuncture is generally safe and well-tolerated, with few side effects. The needles used are very thin and are inserted just below the skin's surface, so there is usually little or no pain involved. Acupuncture can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as physical therapy or medication.

8. Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is a non-surgical treatment option that focuses on the treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine. Chiropractors use their hands or a small instrument to apply a controlled, sudden force to a joint, with the goal of improving the range and quality of motion in the affected area.

Studies show that chiropractic adjustments can significantly help alleviate lumbar pain, reduce inflammation, and improve function when combined with other treatments. Thus, chiropractic care is a great option for people with chronic back pain.

9. Aqua Therapy

During aqua therapy, you will perform exercises in a pool that is heated to a comfortable temperature. The buoyancy of the water reduces the impact on your joints, making it easier to move and exercise. Additionally, the resistance of the water provides a low-impact workout that can help strengthen your muscles.

This type of therapy is especially beneficial for people who have trouble exercising on land due to pain or mobility issues.

Some common exercises performed during aqua therapy include walking, jogging, swimming, stretching, resistance training, and balance exercises.

10. Lifestyle Changes

Making certain lifestyle changes can help alleviate back pain in some cases. Some changes you can make include:

• Getting regular exercise to improve strength and mobility
• Maintaining a healthy weight to relieve excess strain on your back
• Improve your posture to decrease strain on your spine
• Find the best mattress for back pain

Back pain is different for everyone, so experimenting with different treatments to find what works for you may be necessary.

When Surgery Might Be Necessary

If you’ve tried everything on our list and still have back pain that gets in the way of enjoying life to the fullest, or you’re taking over-the-counter medications every day, it may be time to consider surgical treatments.

Having back surgery is a big step. As the leading spinal surgeon in Riverside County, Dr. Khamsi only suggests surgery when absolutely necessary and recommends the most minimally invasive solutions first. Surgical options typically include spinal fusion, spinal decompression surgery, or minimally invasive spine surgeries like discectomies.

Where to Find Non-Surgical Back Pain Relief in Riverside, CA

Seeing a back pain specialist can help you pinpoint the source of your back pain and come up with a non-surgical treatment plan that works.

Dr. Babak Khamsi is the leading spine surgeon and back doctor in Riverside County — and is dedicated to using evidence-based medicine along with innovative technology to help you achieve the best spinal health possible. Dr. Khamsi believes that the best back pain relief in Riverside doesn’t have to involve surgical procedures and non-invasive treatments are often very successful.

Whether you’re looking for non-surgical lower back pain treatment or considering surgical help, Dr. Khamsi’s mission is the same: alleviate neck and back pain and help his patients improve their quality of life.

Ready to get lasting relief from your back pain in Riverside? Call us today and ask for Dr. Khamsi.