You may wonder which type of doctor is best for treating your back pain. While the answer isn't simple, here are some guidelines to help you make your decision.

Muscle relaxants have the potential to decrease tension and spasm within a sore muscle, which may help reduce back pain. But these drugs may cause side effects to occur in some people and must be used with caution.

References

• 1.Witenko C, Moorman-Li R, Motycka C, et al. Considerations for the appropriate use of skeletal muscle relaxants for the management of acute low back pain. P T. 2014;39(6):427–435. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103716/
• 2.Chou R, Qaseem A, Snow V, et al. Diagnosis and Treatment of Low Back Pain: A Joint Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2007;147(7):478. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-147-7-200710020-00006
• 3.Jackson KC II, Argoff CE, Dubin A. Skeletal Muscle Relaxants. In: Practical Management of Pain. Elsevier; 2014:569-574.e1. doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-08340-9.00041-4
• 4.Spence MM, Shin PJ, Lee EA, Gibbs NE. Risk of Injury Associated with Skeletal Muscle Relaxant Use in Older Adults. Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 2013;47(7-8):993-998. doi:10.1345/aph.1r735

Pain from degenerative disc disease can be debilitating, but you have options. Exercise, over-the-counter pain medications, lifestyle changes, and surgery are all valid ways to control degenerative disc disease pain.

References

• 1.Minori J, Wieseltier E, Lie-Nemeth, T. Pain in the orthopedic rehabilitation patient. In: Carayannopoulos A, Comprehensive Pain Management in the Rehabilitation Patient. Springer International Publishing; 2017:69.
• 2.Haider NR, Skiechs J. Carayannopoulos A. Pain in the spine rehabilitation patient. In: Carayannopoulos A, Comprehensive Pain Management in the Rehabilitation Patient. Springer International Publishing; 2017:119.
• 3.Gordon R, Bloxham S. A systematic review of the effects of exercise and physical activity on non-specific chronic low back pain. Healthcare (Basel). 2016; 4(2):22.
• 4.Mulcahy AE. Carayannopoulos A. Manual therapy and pain in the rehabilitation patient. In: Carayannopoulos A, Comprehensive Pain Management in the Rehabilitation Patient. Springer International Publishing; 2017:319.

Prolonged bed rest may aggravate your back pain due to changes in the muscles, discs, and mechanics of your spine. Read on to learn more and find out how you can stay active with your back pain to aid in the healing process.

References

• 1.Fernandez M, Hartvigsen J, Ferreira ML, et al. Advice to Stay Active or Structured Exercise in the Management of Sciatica. Spine. 2015;40(18):1457-1466. PMID: 26165218 doi:10.1097/brs.0000000000001036
• 2.Koes B. Moderate quality evidence that compared to advice to rest in bed, advice to remain active provides small improvements in pain and functional status in people with acute low back pain. Evidence-Based Medicine. 2010;15(6):171-172. PMID: 21106674 doi:10.1136/ebm1132
• 3.Casser HR, Seddigh S, Rauschmann M. Acute Lumbar Back Pain. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2016;113(13):223–234. PMID: 27120496
• 4.Abdel Shaheed C, Maher CG, Williams KA, McLachlan AJ. Interventions Available Over the Counter and Advice for Acute Low Back Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The Journal of Pain. 2014;15(1):2-15. PMID: 24373568 doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2013.09.016
• 5.Belavý DL, Armbrecht G, Richardson CA, Felsenberg D, Hides JA. Muscle Atrophy and Changes in Spinal Morphology. Spine. 2011;36(2):137-145. doi:10.1097/brs.0b013e3181cc93e8

For many people, having a clear understanding of the anatomical structures of the spine and how they can cause pain will help you have a better discussion with your doctor.

References

• 1.Donally CJ, Butler AJ, Varacallo M. Lumbosacral Disc Injuries. [Updated 2019 Apr 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448072/.

Sitting in an office chair all day may be hurting your back. Try some of these unconventional solutions to see if they help provide relief.

References

• 1. Ognibene GT, Torres W, Von eyben R, Horst KC. Impact of a Sit-Stand Workstation on Chronic Low Back Pain: Results of a Randomized Trial. J Occup Environ Med. 2016;58(3):287-93. Doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000615
• 2.Zemp R, Taylor WR, Lorenzetti S. In vivo spinal posture during upright and reclined sitting in an office chair. Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:916045. doi:10.1155/2013/916045
• 3.Elliott TL, Marshall KS, Lake DA, Wofford NH, Davies GJ. The Effect of Sitting on Stability Balls on Nonspecific Lower Back Pain, Disability, and Core Endurance: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Study. Spine. 2016;41(18):E1074-80. Doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000001576
• 4.Bettany-saltikov J, Warren J, Jobson M. Ergonomically designed kneeling chairs are they worth it? : Comparison of sagittal lumbar curvature in two different seating postures. Stud Health Technol Inform. 2008;140:103-6. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18810008
• 5.Vaucher M, Isner-horobeti ME, Demattei C, et al. Effect of a kneeling chair on lumbar curvature in patients with low back pain and healthy controls: A pilot study. Ann Phys Rehabil Med. 2015;58(3):151-6. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25956202

There are a number of simple things you can try to help keep your spine as healthy as possible. These 5 tips will help you to minimize complications from your back condition and/or prevent future painful episodes.

References

• 1.Pavilack L, Alstedter N. Pain-free posture handbook: 40 dynamic easy exercises to look and feel your best. Berkeley, CA: Althea Press; 2016.
• 2.Zander T, Krishnakanth P, Bergmann G, Rohlmann A. Diurnal variations in intervertebral disc height affect spine flexibility, intradiscal pressure and contact compressive forces in the facet joints. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin. 2010; 13(5):551-7. doi: 10.1080/10255840903337855
• 3.Field T, Diego M, Hernandez-Reif M. Moderate pressure is essential for massage therapy effects. Int J Neurosci. 2010; 120(5):381-5. doi: 10.3109/00207450903579475
• 4.Billy GG, Lemieux SK, Chow MX. Lumbar disc changes associated with prolonged sitting. PM R. 2014; 6(9):790-5. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2014.02.014

There are many options for alternative therapies to treat back and neck pain, including massage, acupuncture, yoga, and more. A large review reveals which options are the most effective at relieving pain.

References

• 1.Field T, Diego M, Hernandez-Reif M. Moderate pressure is essential for massage therapy effects. Int J Neurosci. 2010; 120(5):381-5. doi: 10.3109/00207450903579475.
• 2.Evidence-Based Evaluation of Complementary Health Approaches for Pain Management in the United States. Mayo Clin Proc. 2016 Sep;91(9):1292-306. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.06.007.
• 3.Rubinstein SM, Terwee CB, Assendelft WJ, de Boer MR, van Tulder MW. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Sep 12;(9):CD008880. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008880.pub2
• 4.Paige NM, Miake-Lye IM, Shekelle PG. Association of spinal manipulative therapy with clinical benefit and harm for acute low back pain. JAMA. 2017; 317(14):1451-60.
• 5.Cramer H, Klose P, Brinkhaus B, Michalsen A, Dobos G. Effects of yoga on chronic neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Rehabil. 2017; 31(11):1457-1465. doi: 10.1177/0269215517698735

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For most people with back pain, surgery is recommended only after all other options have been exhausted.

A common nonsurgical approach to pain relief is epidural steroid injections, which help reduce inflammation around your spinal cord and spinal nerves. They are primarily intended for temporary pain relief, but steroid injections coupled with therapeutic exercise may allow patients to postpone or even avoid surgery altogether.

References

• 1.Patel K, Upadhyayula S. Epidural Steroid Injections. [Updated 2019 May 2]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470189/
• 2. Hassan KZ, Sherman Al. Epidural Steroids. [Updated 2019 May 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-.Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537320/
• 3.Bartleson JD, Maus TP. Diagnostic and therapeutic spinal interventions: Epidural injections. Neurol Clin Pract. 2014;4(4):347–352. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000043
• 4.Pountos I, Panteli M, Walters G, Bush D, Giannoudis PV. Safety of Epidural Corticosteroid Injections. Drugs R D. 2016;16(1):19–34. doi:10.1007/s40268-015-0119-3
• 5.Knezevic NN, Jovanovic F, Voronov D, Candido KD. Do Corticosteroids Still Have a Place in the Treatment of Chronic Pain?. Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:1229. Published 2018 Nov 1. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.01229
• 6.Dietrich TJ, Sutter R, Froehlich JM, Pfirrmann CWA. Particulate versus non-particulate steroids for lumbar transforaminal or interlaminar epidural steroid injections: an update. Skeletal Radiology. 2014;44(2):149-155. doi:10.1007/s00256-014-2048-6
• 7.Chang, Douglas, Zlomislic, Vinko. Chapter 273. Lumbar Spinal Injections. In: Chapman, Michael W. Chapman's Orthopaedic Surgery. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327034223_Lumbar_spinal_injections_Chapman's_Orthopaedic_Surgery_Chapter_273. Accessed December 23, 2019.
• 8.van Helvoirt H, Apeldoorn AT, Ostelo RW, et al. Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections Followed by Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy to Prevent Surgery for Lumbar Disc Herniation. Pain Medicine. 2014;15(7):1100-1108. doi:10.1111/pme.12450