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Home » Consumer Information » Back Injuries

Back Injury Nonsurgical Treatment

Conservative treatment is an alternative term that can be used to describe the various methods of nonsurgical treatment. Since the majority of people with spinal cord problems do not require surgery, conservative treatment plays a significant part in back injury care. However, there are so many conservative treatments to choose from that it can be a daunting task to choose one over another. Conservative treatment is always the first step taken in back pain reduction.

Physical therapy is the most common form of conservative treatment because it offers so many different options for back injuries. The four objectives of physical therapy are to:

  1. Relieve pain.
  2. Speed up natural healing mechanisms.
  3. Improve strength and elasticity of back muscles and ligaments.
  4. Assist in the prevention of back pain reoccurrence.

Since there are so many treatments that a professional may select from, picking the correct remedy depends on the nature of the condition being treated. Some of these treatments do not even have scientific reputability, but they can still be beneficial to some. These treatments include:

  • Strengthening and flexibility workouts - essential to maintaining strength and flexibility in lower back muscles and one of the best ways to prevent back injuries down the road. It is wise to start this process gradually and work your way up until pain is not an issue. If you feel pain, you are pushing yourself too hard.
  • Heat - typically applied to smaller regions of tissue damage and swelling. Electrical impulses may be used to alleviate pain and encourage circulation deep within the tissue.
  • Hydrotherapy - uses water to address physical discomfort (e.g., bath, spa, whirlpool, shower).
  • Electrical nerve stimulation - involves the method known as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) where electrodes are positioned on the back to arouse nerves and relieve pain. TENS seems to be beneficial for some who have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis, but for those with other back problems, it has not been very promising. There is an alternate procedure that shoots electrical sensations through acupuncture needles. It is usually performed on a single patient three times a day for 45-minutes at a time. The majority of people who undergo this treatment do not feel a thing.
  • Tissue mobilization and massage - Physical therapists with a focus on manual therapy are becoming fonder of practicing soft tissue mobilization techniques and massage. These can help spur blood flow to the problematic region, liberate the area of muscle spasms, and stretch tissue to ease tension.
  • Traction - also known as spinal stretching equipment, these machines assist in the reduction of pressure on nerve roots and stretch tense back muscles. Since the beginning of medicine, spinal traction has been a widely accepted and effective treatment for a number of spinal disorders.
  • Back education - includes educating the public about acceptable posture and safe lifting techniques to prevent future injury regardless of whether you have or have not suffered a back injury in the past.