Low back pain - chronic - Treatment

Treatment:

If you have any concerning symptoms, call your doctor right away.

Your back pain may not go away completely, or it may get more painful at times. Learning to take care of your back at home and how to prevent repeat episodes of back pain can help you continue with your normal activities.

Your doctor and other health professionals can help you manage your pain and keep you as active as possible.

• Your doctor may refer you for physical therapy. The physical therapist may try to reduce your pain using stretches and traction. The therapist will show you how to do exercises that make your back muscles stronger, so you can prevent future back pain.
• You may also see a massage therapist, someone who performs acupuncture, or someone who does spinal manipulation (a chiropractor, osteopathic doctor, or physical therapist). Sometimes a few visits with these specialists will help back pain.
• You may need a back brace to support your back at work.
• Cold packs and heat therapy may help your back pain.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy may be helpful. This technique helps you better understand your pain and teaches you how to manage while you have back pain.

A number of different medications can help with your back pain:

• Drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, naproxen sodium (Aleve), and ibuprofen (Advil)
• Low doses of prescription medicines used to treat seizures or depression (antidepressants)
• Pain medicines called narcotics or opioids when the pain is very severe

See also: Medicines for chronic back pain

When a severe episode of pain does not improve with medicine, physical therapy, and other treatments, you may need an epidural injection.

Spinal surgery should only be considered if you have nerve damage, or the condition causing the back pain does not heal after a long period of time.

See also:

• Diskectomy
• Foraminotomy
• Laminectomy
• Spinal fusion

Some people with low back pain may also need:

• Job changes
• Job counseling
• Job retraining
• Occupational therapy

Expectations (prognosis):

Most back problems will get better on their own. The key is to know when you need to seek medical help and when self-care measures will allow you to get better.

Complications:

Future spine problems are possible for patients who have spine surgery. You may have a greater chance of future problems if you have more than one type of back surgery.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have persistent, severe back pain, especially if you have also have numbness, loss of movement, weakness, or bowel or bladder changes.