Nonsurgical Treatments

Back pain is never a welcome addition to your life, but there is good news. Most spine issues can be treated conservatively. At Henry Ford Health, we offer a wide range of treatments that can relieve your pain without surgery.

Neck and back pain treatment: Why choose Henry Ford?

People throughout Michigan choose us for their neck and back pain treatment because we offer:

• Skilled doctors: Our team includes physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians. These providers specialize in nonsurgical treatments, so you can be sure you’re getting a care plan created by experts.
• More treatment options: We work with providers throughout the Henry Ford network to connect you with a wide range of choices for nonsurgical treatment.
• Second opinions: If you’ve been told you need spine surgery, we can offer a second opinion. Back or neck pain can usually be managed conservatively, without the risks associated with surgery.

Nonsurgical back pain relief

Back and neck pain caused by mild back injuries, degenerative disc conditions, sciatica and spinal stenosis can often be managed conservatively. Treatments may include rest, ice and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication.

If more targeted nonsurgical treatments are necessary, our board-certified physiatrists can develop a customized care plan.

Physical therapy

Your spine doctor may recommend physical therapy or occupational therapy to help you regain strength, stability and range of motion in your back or neck. Specialized spine therapists can also address other musculoskeletal issues that may be a result of your spine condition, such as hip or knee pain.

Henry Ford has an extensive network of outpatient rehabilitation centers throughout southeast and south central Michigan. Your spine doctor will stay in close communication with your therapist and adjust your treatment plan as necessary.

Injections for back pain

Healing your spine through physical therapy and rehabilitation can be difficult when you’re experiencing extreme pain. Our physiatrists offer the following therapeutic injections, which can temporarily relieve pain.

SI joint injections

Our physiatrists use sacroiliac joint injections, or SI joint injections, to deliver local anesthetic and steroid medication to the affected joint in the lower back. We use X-ray guidance to ensure the medication is administered precisely. The steroid typically provides pain relief for about three months.

Lumbar epidural injections

We may recommend an epidural for back pain to reduce inflammation around spinal nerve roots in the lower back. Under X-ray guidance, your doctor will inject a steroid medication and local anesthetic into the epidural space. This space is the outermost area around the spinal cord. Most people will need a series of several injections, spaced three to four weeks apart.

Our spine care team also works with the Henry Ford pain management experts to provide additional pain treatments, including:

• Facet joint injections
• Nerve blocks
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Trigger point injections

Integrative medicine

There are a variety of ways to reduce pain and heal the spine. Integrative medicine takes a whole-person approach to health and wellness. Our spine specialists can connect you with the Henry Ford integrative medicine team for therapies like yoga, massage, acupuncture and chiropractic care.

Take the next step

Learn more about your options for nonsurgical spine care. Request an in-person or virtual appointment with one of our experts.