It used to be that if a person had a lot of back pain their doctor would recommend surgery to fix the problem. Following the surgery, the person would usually be on bed rest for a few weeks, and then, if all went well, their back would be better - unless it wasn’t.

Experts agree that, historically, doctors have resorted to back surgery too quickly in most cases. Many people did not benefit from this surgery and some cases even became worse post-procedure. Surgery was certainly no silver bullet for back pain, that much was sure.

Now, research has shown that most back pain, even lower back pain, will resolve itself without surgery, given rest and time. In fact, for most back pain, all other options should be tried prior to scheduling surgery on the back. Less than one percent of all people ever actually need surgery for their back pain, though four out of every five people have back pain at some time in their life.

When Do You Need Back Surgery?

Normally, doctors propose surgery only in situations where other alternatives have been attempted and were unable to fix the problem, or if the back pain reappears. Surgery may be necessary if back pain causes the patient’s daily routine to be negatively impacted.

Non-Surgical Treatments

An excellent approach to treating the spine and lower back is through physical therapy. A physical therapist can provide specialized exercises along with methods which include:

* Heat or cold therapies - to reduce inflammation, pain and muscle spasms * Ultrasound - the use of sound waves can promote circulation and reduce muscle spasms, inflammation, and pain * Massage * Spinal traction * Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) - a painless electrical current is used on the nerves in order to reduce pain and increase the mobility of the back *Water therapy

Some patients find relief by using medication to relieve their back pain. There are many kinds, some over the counter and others prescription. They include muscle relaxants, analgesics and NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

Spinal injections can relieve pain and help the doctor determine the reason for the back pain. Two kinds are Facet Joint Injections and Epidural Steroid Injections. Spinal injections are not used alone, but are used along with physical therapy and exercise. They should always be recommended or prescribed by your doctor.

Chiropractic care can also be used to reduce back pain. A chiropractor can manipulate, apply pressure, palpate and otherwise adjust vertebral alignment.

There are alternative methods for treating back pain as well. These methods include acupuncture, biofeedback and herbals - if you opt to employ one of these back pain treatments, make sure that your practitioner is reputable before undergoing treatment.