Advice From Dr. Brandon Claflin on Pain Management Solutions for Chronic Back Pain

Updated on February 3, 2025

Does this sound familiar? You never realized just how much you used your back until you started experiencing chronic back pain. Whether your pain manifests as an ache or a shooting sensation, you’re likely looking for a solution that can take care of it once and for all.

Luckily, many pain management solutions are designed to work temporarily or slowly ease your pain over time. Read along as pain management specialist Dr. Brandon Claflin analyzes popular pain management solutions and shares insight on each.

What Causes Chronic Back Pain?

Chronic back pain isn’t as straightforward as it might sound. It can actually have many possible causes, including the following:

  • Structural Issues: Herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or a degenerative disc disease that affects spinal stability or nerve function.
  • Muscle or Ligament Strain: Caused by poor posture, repetitive movements, or sudden injuries.
  • Arthritis: Conditions like osteoarthritis that lead to inflammation and stiffness in the spine.
  • Nerve-Related Problems: Sciatica or other nerve compressions causing radiating pain.
  • Osteoporosis: Weakening of bones, which increases the risk of fractures.
  • Stress and Anxiety: Psychological factors that make pain worse.

Pain Management Solutions for Chronic Back Pain

When it comes to pain management, there are several types of pain management techniques. The option that’s best for you can depend on your pain levels, what’s causing your pain, and what you’re comfortable with. Read on as Dr. Claflin examines many of the most popular pain management solutions.

Conventional Treatments

Over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, are often the first line of defense for chronic back pain. However, these are often temporary and may not be strong enough to lower your pain. 

Prescription medications, including muscle relaxants and, in some cases, opioids, may be recommended for severe pain. Be careful with prescription pain medications due to the risk of dependency

Physical therapy can also play a key role in recovery. Physical therapists can write up a list of personalized exercises designed to strengthen your core and improve posture, which can help relieve back pain. Additionally, treatments like epidural steroid injections or nerve blocks can offer targeted relief, depending on the type of pain you’re experiencing.

Complementary Therapies

Acupuncture, which is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, uses fine needles to stimulate specific points and decrease pain. Massage therapy can also help soothe muscle tension and increase circulation, which may help you feel better. 

Chiropractic care, which includes spinal manipulation, can help restore alignment and ease pain caused by joint or muscle issues. Meanwhile, mindfulness and meditation practices focus on reducing stress and lowering our perception of pain. Many of these options can be quite effective, as long as you choose a reputable practitioner who is comfortable working around chronic pain.

Lifestyle Modifications

Incorporating regular exercise, such as swimming, yoga, or stretching, can help you strengthen your back muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce muscle and joint stiffness. Ergonomic adjustments, like using a supportive office chair or standing desk, can minimize strain on the spine during daily activities. 

Maintaining a healthy weight can also help reduce pressure on the lower back, which can prevent injuries from worsening. If you tend to be sore after a poor night’s sleep, selecting a firm mattress and finding a comfortable sleeping position can help you wake up feeling refreshed. 

While many of these lifestyle changes can help with pain and are generally good for overall health, they can also feel overwhelming for some people. According to Dr. Brandon Claflin, no matter what changes are made, it’s important to start somewhere manageable after talking to your healthcare team. For instance, start exercising with a 10-minute walk each day, then slowly work up to a mile or two (if your pain allows it).

Surgery

Surgery is typically a last resort for chronic back pain. That being said, conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or severe structural deformities may require surgical intervention from the get-go if they’re severe enough. 

Procedures such as spinal fusion, which stabilizes the spine, or discectomy, which removes problematic disc material, can help manage severe pain. Note that surgery can come with risks, including infection and long recovery periods; be as informed as possible and work with a provider who fully knows the details of your case.

Pain Specialist-Administered Treatment

Targeted injections like epidural steroid injections (ESIs) and medial branch blocks are two treatments a pain specialist might recommend for you.

In ESI, a trained doctor injects a small dose of anti-inflammatory medication, typically a glucocorticoid, into the epidural space around the spinal nerves in the lower back or neck. This helps alleviate back pain by reducing inflammation (it can also relieve leg, arm, and neck pain).

Additionally, an ESI can be a handy diagnostic tool to pinpoint specific nerve root problems when the source of pain is unclear.

A medial branch block targets the nerves responsible for transmitting pain from the facet joints in the spine. By injecting anesthetic medication directly onto these medial branch nerves, the procedure aims to block pain signals, helping relieve chronic lower back and neck pain caused by facet joint dysfunction. 

Both of these procedures are minimally invasive options that can significantly improve the quality of life for those living with chronic back pain. 

Which Pain Management Options Should You Choose?

Choosing the right pain management solution is a deeply personal decision, and working with a qualified pain management doctor is the first step. These specialists can look at your specific condition, symptoms, and medical history to tailor a treatment plan that addresses your unique needs. 

A pain management doctor can help you determine whether you need alternative therapies or surgery, and they can give you advice on how to manage your pain at home with conventional treatments. It might take a few tries before you find a solution that works for you, but it’s most important to look for something that’s convenient, effective, and accessible.

The Bottom Line: Chronic Back Pain Management Solutions

Chronic back pain can be debilitating, which is why many patients seek out pain management for relief. Popular pain management solutions include conventional treatments like heat and cold therapy, complementary therapies like chiropractic, lifestyle modifications like diet changes, and even surgery. Ultimately, the best option for you depends on your unique needs and health history.

Sources:

How opioid use disorder occurs | Mayo Clinic

Back Pain and Obesity: Links, Causes, and Treatments | Healthline 

Massage for Shoulder and Back Pain | AMTA

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The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.