What is conservative therapy?
Not all back pain requires surgery and some conditions cannot be
corrected with surgery. Many patients benefit from what is called
conservative therapy—lifelong lifestyle changes and conservative
treatments that help improve and manage symptoms.
Conservative therapy may help reduce your pain level and enhance
your ability to function on a day-to-day basis.
What are the types of conservative therapies?
Physical therapy: You may be referred to a physical therapist
to learn strengthening or stretching exercises. Strengthening your
core with the right exercises may prevent other flairs or lessen the
strain on degenerative spine disease. Physical therapy can also be
given using a TENS unit or traction.
Pain management: Pain management can involve reviewing your
medications and making recommendations. Procedures or therapies may
also be suggested, such as injections or stimulators.
Physiatry: This treatment involves an evaluation and assessment
of how you use your body and how you can make changes to manage or
improve your symptoms or functionality to improve your quality of
life.
Complementary medicine: Alternative therapies such as
acupuncture may be recommended.
Weight management: Reducing your overall weight puts less
stress on your back and your entire body.
Stress management: Reducing stress may reduce your level of
pain. Many patients find their pain level is the highest when they are
under the most stress. There are many ways to healthfully reduce your
stress. Some options are breathing techniques, imagery, self-hypnosis,
meditation, yoga or relaxation through music.
Biofeedback: This technique is used to control your body's
response and to gain better awareness of its physiologic functions.
Heat/ice therapy: Five to 20 minute intervals of applying
either heat or ice can be beneficial for some people. It is important
not to use heat or ice directly on the skin and to use safety
precautions to avoid injury from excessive heat or cold.