Will Surgery Improve My Back Pain? 3 Pain Management Strategies To Try

Pain That Affects Everyone

People can experience back pain for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the back got tweaked while lifting something heavy. Or maybe someone is dealing with a chronic condition like arthritis. Whatever the case, back pain can be incredibly disruptive, causing people to miss work or other activities. If back pain is a consistent challenge, will surgery improve the pain? Try these 3 pain management strategies first.

1. Improve your fitness

Whether dealing with a back injury or a chronic condition like arthritis, being out of shape can make the pain worse. Regular exercise is crucial for building muscle and bone strength. Work with a physical therapist to find a plan that aims to both increase strength and mobility. Sometimes, people move in a way that makes back pain worse. A physical therapist can help to reteach proper form and exercise techniques to improve symptoms.

2. Check your posture

Constant use of computers, tablets, and cell phones can lead to hunched shoulders and a tight, sore neck and upper back. Have a professional assess current work stations. There may be a need for ergonomic furniture or moving the height of the computer screen. People who have active jobs may also need an assessment to learn more about injury prevention and proper stretching.

3. Hot and cold therapy

Alternating hot and cold therapy is a tried and true pain management strategy. Ice helps to decrease inflammation, while heat can relax the muscles. If the back pain is the result of an injury, cold therapy is best in the first 24-48 hours. Experts then recommend switching between 15 minutes of hot packs and cold packs a few times daily.

Will surgery help?

The need for surgery will depend on what’s causing the back pain and the severity of the symptoms. Most people can find pain relief from physical therapy, at-home pain management, or less invasive options like corticosteroid shots. Typically, surgery is only needed if a patient is having consistent, unrelenting pain or pain that leads to muscle weakness. Otherwise, surgery is usually only used for certain conditions, such as spinal stenosis or removing a herniated disc.

What are the surgery options?

A surgeon might recommend a discectomy to remove a herniated disc. Other surgical options may include a laminectomy or anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery. For more information about managing back pain, speak with a healthcare provider or pain management specialist.