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Non-Invasive Back Pain Treatment

According to the Mayo Clinic, four out of five people in the U.S. experience back pain in their lifetime. It's one of the main reasons people call in sick to work. Home treatment and attention to proper body movements can heal most back pain within a couple weeks.

  1. Cold/Heat Therapy

    • Cold or ice packs applied to your back can stop inflammation and swelling by constricting the blood vessels. Heat can relieve pain and muscle tightness, especially in the initial stages of pain.

    Medication

    • Prescription and nonprescription pain relievers relieve the inflammation as your back heals. These include analgesics, anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants and opioids.

    Exercise

    • Exercise, including stretching, strength training, flexing and aerobic activity, improve functioning, depending on the source of your back pain. Physical therapists can teach you what exercises will strengthen your core and decrease your risk of future injury.

    Back Support

    • A back brace or lumbar support garment supports your abdomen and takes some of the load off your back, improves posture and restricts motion. It is best to use a brace intermittently for several hours each day.

    Electrical Stimulation

    • Many have found relief using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which sends a tiny electrical current along your nerve pathways.

    Spinal Manipulation

    • Chiropractors, physical therapists and osteopaths can apply leverage and force to back joints to adjust the spine and restore mobility.

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