Back Pain Treatment
Conservative options for low back, upper back, and neck pain
Most people will experience back pain at some time in their lives, whether due to an accident, injury, or the normal process of aging. Duke’s back doctors use the most advanced techniques and tools to treat your low back pain, upper back pain, or neck pain.
From Back Pain to Better Functioning
We know your ability to be active is an essential factor in your quality of life. Our objective is to increase or restore your functionality. Depending on your condition and lifestyle, this may include improving your ability to stand or walk for longer periods, care for family members, perform work tasks, or participate in recreational activities.
Caring for the Many Causes of Back Pain
Our spine doctors treat a wide variety of back problems, including:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated discs
- Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction
- Sciatica
- Spine arthritis
What to Consider When Choosing a Back Doctor
At Duke, our team of back specialists include physiatrists (physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors) who specialize in spine care, a chiropractor, orthopaedic physician assistants, and physical therapists. We work together to ensure you get comprehensive care.
- We’re committed to improving your symptoms. Treating back pain, as well as spine conditions that cause back pain, is our expertise. Our goal is find the most-effective, least-invasive treatment option that manages your pain and maximizes your ability to function.
- We provide a wide range of nonsurgical treatment options. There are many medications and injections available to treat back pain. Other approaches include spinal manipulation, physical therapy, and acupuncture. Our back doctors will recommend the most appropriate, targeted therapies for you.
- We can refer you for other treatment approaches, if necessary. If conservative treatments don’t improve your symptoms or functionality, our back doctors may refer you to the Duke Spine Surgery team. The team’s experts offer the latest surgical techniques, including minimally invasive spine surgeries that use smaller incisions for faster recovery, less pain, and fewer complications; and spinal cord stimulation, in which a pacemaker-like device is implanted under your skin to control pain signals.
- PATIENT STORYRelief from back pain allows bride to enjoy wedding day
If you have chronic back pain, Montgomery recommends you ask questions, stay informed, and find a provider you trust. - PATIENT STORYSpinal surgery saves Virginia man from paralysis
After spinal surgery saved Charlie Bennett from possible paralysis. he says, “It’s a challenge, but I feel fortunate." - PATIENT STORYBack in the swing after spine surgery
Pete Shankle's spine surgery made him pain free for the first time in a year. “That surgery gave me my life back,” he says. - PATIENT STORYFreedom from chronic back pain
"I feel like my surgeon gave me my life back. I think I would have been in a wheelchair without this surgery."
BACK PAIN
Nonsurgical Treatments
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A variety of medications is available to help with back pain, including over-the-counter and prescription anti-inflammatory medications as well as muscle relaxers and nerve pain medications. We will work with you to find appropriate medication(s) that address your pain while minimizing your risk for side-effects, dependency, or other unwanted reactions.
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A trained physical therapist guides you in exercises and stretches designed to reduce pain, improve range of motion, and strengthen supporting muscles.
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A skilled chiropractor manipulates or adjusts your spine and other joints, reducing pain and improving function. May also include soft tissue therapies, exercises, and daily activity instruction.
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Depending on the type and cause of your pain, your doctor may inject anesthetic agents or steroids directly into your back, neck, or spine. In some cases, the doctor uses fluoroscopy (a type of X-ray imaging) to guide the needle to the exact location.
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The doctor guides a needle into the correct nerve in your back and then applies radiofrequency energy. This creates a lesion on the nerve that blocks pain signals to your brain.
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A TENS unit (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator) sends mild electrical current through your skin to stimulate nerves and reduce pain.
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A clinical psychologist can help you understand the mental and emotional aspects of pain, develop skills and strategies to cope with it, and improve your quality of life.
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Traditional Chinese medicine technique in which fine needles are inserted into the skin in specific places to reduce pain.
BACK PAIN
Tests
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Allow your doctor to look at the bones and joints in your spine and can help identify fractures, tumors, dislocations, bone spurs, or other potential causes of pain.
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Creates detailed pictures of your spine, including views of your discs and nerves. Can help identify disc damage or whether your nerves are “pinched.”
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Another option for imaging bones and soft tissues of your back, neck, and spine. May be used if you aren’t able to have an MRI due to metal implants in your body.
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Checks the health of your muscles and the nerves that control them by measuring electrical activity.
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Measures how fast electrical signals move through your nerves, to identify nerve damage.