Non-surgical treatment may include a combination of:
- Activity modification
- Exercise
- Relaxation techniques, breathing exercises and mindful meditation
- The use of medications
- Interventional techniques such as nerve blocks (spinal injections)
- Epidural injections in the lumbar and cervical spine
- Nerve killing procedures such as radiofrequency ablation
- Infusion pumps that deliver medications straight into the spinal canal (used mostly for cancer pain)
- Kyphoplasty, which is a procedure where cement is injected to repair vertebral compression fractures
- Neuromodulation, which involves spinal cord stimulators
- Behavioral medicine techniques
- Physical therapy
- Fluoroscopic-guided (X-ray) injections
- Pain psychology
- Referrals for acupuncture when necessary, as well as counseling on how individuals can implement holistic and wellness lifestyle practices that help alleviate chronic pain