You can resolve most back pain problems without surgery or narcotic pain medications. In the Sutter Health network, we offer a wide range of non-invasive services and therapies that relieve pain and improve mobility.

Physical Therapy

Your doctor may recommend physical therapy for low back pain before considering other treatments. Physical therapy can reduce pain and increase function in many people with back pain. How? The muscles in your abdomen and lower back support your spine. When these muscles are strong, less stress is placed on the discs and joints in your spine. Physical therapy for back pain typically includes exercises to strengthen these muscles, as well as ice packs to soothe the muscles, or heating pads to warm the muscles before exercise.

Spinal Injections and Nerve Blocks

An epidural steroid injection delivers strong anti-inflammatory medication into the epidural space near your spinal cord. In a nerve block, a numbing medication is injected into the area around a nerve, delivering short-term pain relief. Anti-inflammatory medicine can also be added to provide longer-term relief. A rhizotomy injection can also provide lasting pain relief by disabling the sensory nerve that goes to a joint.

Spinal Cord Stimulation

For some types of nerve or back pain, spinal cord stimulation helps by blocking nerve impulses using a mild, electric current. The therapy requires a minimally invasive surgery to implant a small electrical generator under the skin, usually in the abdomen or buttocks. This is attached to wire leads that extend along the spinal column. The generator delivers pulses of a mild electric current through the leads.

TENS

Some doctors may suggest transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, which uses a mild electrical current to block nerve impulses and reduce pain. The electricity comes from a small generator called a TENS machine, which is connected to electrodes that are placed on your skin in the area of pain, or at pressure points. The electrical current stimulates the nerves in your back or spine that are sending pain signals to the brain, essentially blocking the message. The current also may trigger the body to produce more natural painkillers called endorphins.

Brace Management

For many years, back braces have served as an effective, non-invasive way to support the back and spine, which can reduce pain. Modern designs of prosthetic back braces are more comfortable and less conspicuous than ever, and can be adjusted and tailored to your specific needs.

Sutter’s brace management experts help you and your doctor select the appropriate brace for your goals and needs, adjust the brace as necessary and address any problems or concerns.