Chronic Back Pain Treatment

Chronic back pain rarely has a single cause. In many patients, a combination of structural, muscular, and lifestyle factors contributes to persistent pain. Common structural causes include degenerative disc disease, facet joint arthritis (spondylosis), spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and residual pain following a disc herniation episode.

Non-structural contributors such as deconditioning of the core and paraspinal muscles, poor posture, prolonged sitting (common in desk-based occupations in urban Punjab), obesity, and psychosocial factors also play a significant role. This is why effective management almost always involves a combination of physical rehabilitation and, where appropriate, targeted interventional pain management.

At Hunjan Hospital in Ludhiana, we begin with a thorough clinical assessment supplemented by imaging (X-ray, MRI, or CT as needed) to distinguish between pain originating from discs, facet joints, sacroiliac joints, nerve roots, or paraspinal muscles. This guides a precise and effective treatment plan.

The cornerstone of chronic back pain management at Hunjan Hospital is active rehabilitation. Our in-house physiotherapy team in Ludhiana designs structured programmes that address muscle imbalances, improve spinal mobility, and build the core strength needed to support the spine during daily activities.

Medications - including anti-inflammatory drugs, neuropathic pain agents, and muscle relaxants - are used judiciously for symptom control while rehabilitation progresses. When facet joint arthritis is identified as the primary pain source, image-guided facet joint injections or medial branch blocks can confirm the diagnosis and provide relief. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the medial branch nerves may offer longer-lasting pain reduction for suitable candidates.

For discogenic pain, intradiscal procedures or epidural steroid injections may be considered. All interventional procedures are performed with appropriate imaging guidance and after discussing the evidence and expectations with the patient.