A man seated at a desk rubbing his lower back

Back and Neck Pain Treatment

From massage to medications to surgery, choosing treatment for back and neck pain starts with understanding your options. Get the facts to make informed choices regarding your care.
Photo of a surgeon pointing to a lumbar spine model.
Microdiscectomy: Procedure, Benefits, Risks, Results
Medically reviewed by Jonathan Cluett, MD
Chiropractor explains patient using plastic model
Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF): Procedure, Complications, and Risks
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
neck pain
Easy Moves to Help Relieve Tension and Pain in Neck
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Woman using a foam roller
Self Myofascial Release for Neck and Shoulders
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
surgeons operating
Lumbar Discectomy - Spine Surgery to a Herniated Disc
Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD
Many people suffer from back pain.
How Telemedicine Helps Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
Orthotics
Custom Orthotics and Shoe Inserts for Low Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
close-up of pills scattered on tabletop
Tricyclic Anti-Depressants for Back Pain Relief
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
Aspirin and a glass of water
Using Aspirin for Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Jason DelCollo, DO
Doctor adjusts a woman's ankle in physical therapy
Iontophoresis and Dexamethasone Patch
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Herniated disc diagram.
Reasons for Revision Spine Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
I think it's getting serious
Do You Need a Neurosurgeon for Your Neck or Back?
Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD
X-ray of spine with instrumentation
Pseudoarthrosis in the Cervical and Lumbar Spine
Medically reviewed by Miho J. Tanaka, MD
Woman sitting at her desk rubbing her back
Dynamic Stabilization and Lumber Fusion Surgery
Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD
Low Section Of Woman With Ankle Pain Sitting On Bed
Discectomies for Herniated Disc
Medically reviewed by Jonathan Cluett, MD
Two spine surgeons operating.
Disc Replacement or Spinal Fusion?
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
back pain
Back Pain Treatment for Athletes
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
I feel the pain in my back
Back Pain Treatments on the Horizon
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
Physiatrist taking notes with patient
Should You See a Physiatrist?
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
woman with back pain
What You Should Know About the Muscle Relaxant Flexeril
Medically reviewed by Jonathan Cluett, MD
A doctor examining a patient's back
What to Expect When You Go to Your Doctor for Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
Woman sitting at her desk rubbing her back and stretching
Taking Acetaminophen or Tylenol for Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Jonathan Cluett, MD
Doctor checking senior mans back in examination room
Which Doctor to See for Your Specific Spine Issue
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Spinal discs are the cushions between the vertabrae.
Learn All About Lumbar Disc Replacement
Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD
Woman with neck ache in bed
What to Do for Neck or Back Pain That's Mild
Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD
Doctor talking to patient in hospital room
How Can Medical Ozone Therapy Help Your Spine?
Medically reviewed by Miho J. Tanaka, MD
A woman having acupuncture pins put in her neck and upper back
Acupuncture for Back Pain and Neck Aches
Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO
Electro Stimulation In Physical Therapy To A Young Woman
Electric Muscle Stimulation in for Neck or Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
woman holding neck in pain
Neck Pain Treatments for Non-Specific Cervical Spine Conditions
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
Male chiropractor adjusting woman on clinic examination table
Chiropractic Adjustments After a Back Surgery
By Anne Asher, CPT
Woman rubbing sore neck
How to Self-Massage Your Trapezius Muscle
Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD
Young girl wearing scoliosis brace working at desk
How to Encourage Your Child to Wear a Scoliosis Brace
Medically reviewed by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO
Healing a back injury
Inflammation Stages of Healing a Back Injury
Medically reviewed by Erin Pereira, DPT, OCS
A gowned woman sits at the end of an examining table in a doctor's office.
An Overview of Pain Management
Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD
Botox and syringe
Botox for Neck and Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
Medical consultation
When to See a Rheumatologist for Your Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
Hand with white pills in it
Taking Ibuprofen for Neck or Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Chris Vincent, MD
Chiropractor adjusting a woman's back in his office
Chiropractic Terms for Treating the Spine
Medically reviewed by Erin Pereira, DPT, OCS
A man in bed with lower back pain
Is It Better to Ice or Heat or Ice a Back Injury?
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
A woman getting her spine decompressed
Spine Injury and Facet Joint Traction for Your Spine
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Woman with heat pack on her neck
Moist Heat Physical Therapy Modality
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline: Uses, Side Effects, Dosages, Precautions
Medically reviewed by Jason DelCollo, DO
Medicine pills or capsules in hand, palm or fingers. Drug prescription for treatment medication. Woman, young female, person taking vitamin, painkiller, antibiotic
Side Effects of Pain Medication
Medically reviewed by Chris Vincent, MD
Pills on countertop
What Is Enteric-Coated Medication?
Medically reviewed by Mary Choy, PharmD
physical therapist working on woman's back
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Treatment
Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD
boxes of advil
Inactive Ingredients in Common Pain Medications
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
Pills of different shapes, colors and sizes fill the image.
Amitriptyline Dosage — How to Take Elavil for Pain
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
a person in bed holding neck and back
Signs It's Time to See a Doctor for Neck or Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Senior men are in pain lower back pain
Inflammatory Granuloma Symptoms and Prevention
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
Man with back pain getting out of bed
Types of Treatments for Low Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD
Spinal cord stimulation system components.
Spinal Cord Stimulation for Pain Management
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Hospital personnel operates a drug monitoring system.
Pain Pump Trial for Chronic Back Pain Relief
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
chiropractor treating female patient
Using Alternative Medicine to Manage Spinal Stenosis
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD
Advil
Advil (ibuprofen): Benefits and Side Effects of Use
Medically reviewed by Mary Choy, PharmD
A woman suffering back pain after a workout
How to Get Relief From a Back Muscle Spasm
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Woman rubbing aching back
How Can Medial Branch Blocks Help Your Back Pain?
Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD
Man with back pain
Back or Neck Pain Medication — What Can Over-the-Counters Do For You?
Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD
Doctor Administering Cold Laser Therapy Treatment to Female Pati
Cold Laser Therapy for Treating Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
bottle of pills
COX-2 Inhibitors vs. Opioids for Back or Neck Pain
Medically reviewed by Violetta Shamilova, PharmD
Man standing at his desk holding his back in pain
The Multifidus Back Pain Solution Book Review
Fact checked by Ashley Hall