New Treatment Offers Back Pain Relief Without Surgery

By Denise Yost

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Back pain is the second most common neurological ailment in the nation -- only headaches are more common. Now, there is a new way to curb the pain and find relief.

"When they asked me on a scale of 1 to 10, I was a 10. My back pain was unbearable," said Beth Arledge.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on lower back pain.

"I was taking ibuprofen 8 to 10 times a day, and still living with 24/7 pain," Arledge said.

As people age, bone strength and muscle elasticity tend to decrease. The discs begin to lose fluid and flexibility, which decreases its ability to cushion the vertebrae.

Most can be treated conservatively with physical therapy and medication. But others may need something more aggressive.

"There's new imaging technology where we have a lot of advancement with our MRI and CT scans that allow us to look at a lot of different things in order to treat back pain," said Dr. James Borchers, of Ohio State University Sports Medicine.

Arledge has struggled with chronic back pain for 13 years.

"I was in Bible study, asking for prayer because I was in so much pain and a girl there suggested I (go to MT Wellness Clinic)," she said.

A certified medical restorative massage therapist at the clinic said the goal of the therapy is to fill the void between massage and physical therapy.

"Lower pain can come from the front, the side, stress or even the shoulder," said Thuy Bowyer, of MT Wellness Clinic.

Bowyer works with physicians and physical therapists, and said her approach is a relatively new concept.

It's a combination of massage and physical therapy that increases mobility and relieves pain without surgery.

"Our goal is to reduce pain and restore function," Bowyer said.

After weeks of treatment, Arledge said, she started to feel better.

"Not only were they helping me feel better, they were giving me things I could do on my own to continue my well-being at home," she said.

Hundreds of people have received help, causing the clinic to add five staff members to handle increased demand.

The method is not the only one being used to treat chronic pain without surgery. Ultrasound is also being used to massage muscles and relieve inflammation.

Experts said that alternatives such as chiropractic and acupuncture are also becoming increasingly popular.