Treatment and Prevention of Back Pain
Updated December 29, 2014.
Treatment for back pain generally starts with a conservative approach. The conservative approach may include:
When It's Time for Surgery
If the pain persists after conservative therapy is tried, surgery may be an option.
Know, however, that only about a quarter of all back pain patients require surgery. For most people, back pain resolves itself within a month.
The trend in back and neck surgery is toward minimally invasive, but patients still must use their discretion when deciding what to do. Many of the minimally invasive back surgical techniques are too new for long-term prognosis studies to offer meaningful data.
Back Surgery Resources:
Prevention
Prevention of back pain is largely a lifestyle matter. Tips for preventing back pain are listed below:
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Databases, Tables & Calculators by Subject. http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/CHU00X23XXXX6P100 Accessed November 8 2011.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Databases, Tables & Calculators by Subject. Accessed November 8 2011.
Soni, A. PhD. Back Problems: Use and Expenditures for the U.S. Adult Populations, 2007. Statistical Brief #289. Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. July 2010.
"Radiculopathies". University of Wisconsin Neuroscience Resource Pages. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
Perina, Debra, M.D. Back Pain, Mechanical eMedicine.com Updated: January 23, 2006. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
Lost-worktime Injuries and Illnesses: Characteristics and Resulting Time Away From Work, 2004 Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
Low Back Pain Fact Sheet: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
Fessler, Gricard G., M.D., PhD. "Low Back Pain(LBP): Treatment and Recovery". Spine Universe Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
"Low back pain and degenerative disc disease treatments". Spine-health.com. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
"When to see a surgeon for low back pain". Spine-health.com. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
"Ahh..Ice massage therapy for back pain relief". Spine-health.com. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
Eidelson, Stewart, M.D. "Back Pain Treatment Options". Spine Universe. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
"Nonspecific back pain". Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
"Symptoms". Back.com. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
"Common conditions that cause lower back pain". Spine-health.com. Updated January 2002. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
"Back and Neck Pain". Weill Cornell Physicians Last Updated January 7, 2005. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
"Trends in hospital use for mechanical neck and back problems in Ontario and the United States: discretionary care in different health care systems". Lavis JN, Malter A, Anderson GM, Taylor VM, Deyo RA, Bombardier C, Axcell T, Kreuter W. Institute for Work and Health, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont. Last Updated January 7, 2005. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
"Epidemiology of Back Disorders: Prevalence, Risk Factors" MedScape Today Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
"Spinal Cord Tumors". Merck Manual Online Medical Library Last Updated: February 1, 2003. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
Preidt, Robert. "Study compares tools to diagnose back trouble". Medicinenet.com. 2005. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
16 "Low Back Pain". Neurosurgerytoday.org June, 2006. Retireved: June 15, 2006.
"Cauda Equina Syndrome". American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
National Pain Foundation. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
Treatment for back pain generally starts with a conservative approach. The conservative approach may include:
- at home remedies and therapy
- Over-the-counter pain medications
- reduced activity
- analgesics
- muscle relaxers
- physical therapy
- ice
- traction
- heat
- massage therapy
- chiropractic
- injections
- stretching
- strengthening
- yoga
- pilates
When It's Time for Surgery
If the pain persists after conservative therapy is tried, surgery may be an option.
Know, however, that only about a quarter of all back pain patients require surgery. For most people, back pain resolves itself within a month.
The trend in back and neck surgery is toward minimally invasive, but patients still must use their discretion when deciding what to do. Many of the minimally invasive back surgical techniques are too new for long-term prognosis studies to offer meaningful data.
Back Surgery Resources:
Prevention
Prevention of back pain is largely a lifestyle matter. Tips for preventing back pain are listed below:
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Databases, Tables & Calculators by Subject. http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/CHU00X23XXXX6P100 Accessed November 8 2011.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Databases, Tables & Calculators by Subject. Accessed November 8 2011.
Soni, A. PhD. Back Problems: Use and Expenditures for the U.S. Adult Populations, 2007. Statistical Brief #289. Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. July 2010.
"Radiculopathies". University of Wisconsin Neuroscience Resource Pages. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
Perina, Debra, M.D. Back Pain, Mechanical eMedicine.com Updated: January 23, 2006. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
Lost-worktime Injuries and Illnesses: Characteristics and Resulting Time Away From Work, 2004 Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
Low Back Pain Fact Sheet: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
Fessler, Gricard G., M.D., PhD. "Low Back Pain(LBP): Treatment and Recovery". Spine Universe Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
"Low back pain and degenerative disc disease treatments". Spine-health.com. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
"When to see a surgeon for low back pain". Spine-health.com. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
"Ahh..Ice massage therapy for back pain relief". Spine-health.com. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
Eidelson, Stewart, M.D. "Back Pain Treatment Options". Spine Universe. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
"Nonspecific back pain". Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
"Symptoms". Back.com. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
"Common conditions that cause lower back pain". Spine-health.com. Updated January 2002. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
"Back and Neck Pain". Weill Cornell Physicians Last Updated January 7, 2005. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
"Trends in hospital use for mechanical neck and back problems in Ontario and the United States: discretionary care in different health care systems". Lavis JN, Malter A, Anderson GM, Taylor VM, Deyo RA, Bombardier C, Axcell T, Kreuter W. Institute for Work and Health, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont. Last Updated January 7, 2005. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
"Epidemiology of Back Disorders: Prevalence, Risk Factors" MedScape Today Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
"Spinal Cord Tumors". Merck Manual Online Medical Library Last Updated: February 1, 2003. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
Preidt, Robert. "Study compares tools to diagnose back trouble". Medicinenet.com. 2005. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
16 "Low Back Pain". Neurosurgerytoday.org June, 2006. Retireved: June 15, 2006.
"Cauda Equina Syndrome". American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
National Pain Foundation. Retrieved: June 15, 2006.
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