There are many things that can lead to chronic back pain. Post laminectomy syndrome (AKA failed back syndrome) is the continuous and chronic pain that develops after back or neck surgery. Lumbar Radiculopathy (AKA sciatica) is pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, branching from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down the legs.

These are just two examples of back pain that can result from injury or even surgery. But you’re not alone in your pain. Back pain is actually one of the most common medical problems, impacting eight out of 10 people at some point in their lives. Back pain can range from constant dull aches to a sharp, sudden pain. Acute back pain usually lasts a few days to a few weeks. If it lasts more than three months, it’s considered chronic back pain.

Many cases of back pain go away on their own with cold packs, rest, medicine, and exercises, but often times, the pain is not alleviated through home care methods. Sometimes further treatment is required. That treatment will depend on what kind of injury you have and the level of pain you are experiencing. Injections, complementary treatments, and surgery can all address your back pain.

However, many people want to avoid surgery at all costs. Not only is it expensive and time consuming, as you have to take time off work for the procedure as well as recovery, the pain medication used in recovery (opioids) can be highly addicting.

But you’re in luck, there are some non-surgical treatment options for back pain.

Alternatives to Surgery

If you want to alleviate your back pain but don’t want to undergo surgery, you may be a good candidate for the following minimally invasive techniques:

  • Facet joint injection: This relieves pain and inflammation in the facet joints, found on the back of the spine.
  • Lumbar radiofrequency neurotomy: This is a minimally-invasive procedure that reduces the pain of damaged facet joints. It works through the disruption of the medial branch nerves responsible for carrying pain signals.
  • Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection: This is an outpatient injection of a steroid-anesthetic medication that reduces swelling and inflammation of irritated spinal nerves.
  • Medial branch block: This is a diagnostic technique that identifies a painful facet joint which allows the spine to bend, twist and flex.
  • Spinal cord stimulation: This utilizes electrical impulses to relieve chronic pain of the back, neck, and legs.

There are many other treatments available, and we offer them all here at Summit Spine and Joint Centers.

Contact Summit Spine and Joint Centers for Back Pain Treatment

You don’t need to live with back pain. Summit Spine & Joint Centers specializes in a variety of non-surgical treatments so you can enjoy your life again – without invasive techniques. To learn more about non-surgical treatment options for back pain, call us today at 770-962-3642 and make an appointment to visit one our 23 pain centers including our featured new location for Pain Management in Athens, GA.  We utilize state-of-the-art techniques to restore function and improve your overall quality of life.