What are the non-surgical treatment options for low back pain?
Determining a treatment strategy depends mainly on identifying the location and cause of the irritated nerve root. In about 90% of all cases, pain improves without surgery. Treatment options include physical therapy, weight reduction, steroid injections (epidural steroids), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, rehabilitation and limited activity. All these treatments aim at relieving the inflammation in the back and the irritation of nerve roots. If low back pain gets worse or does not improve after two or three days of home treatment, the patient must contact a primary care physician. The physician will evaluate the patient and perform a neurological exam to determine which nerve root is being irritated as well as to rule out other serious medical conditions. If there are clear signs that the nerve root is being compressed, the physician will prescribe medications to relieve the pain, swelling and irritation, and will also recommend limiting certain activities. If these treatm
