Nonsurgical Spinal Care

Nonsurgical Treatments for Back and Neck Pain in Central Massachusetts and Beyond

At UMass Memorial, we offer conservative treatments whenever possible to provide relief without surgery. Our nonsurgical therapies include: 

Physical Therapy (PT)

Our expert PTs (physical therapists) guide you through therapeutic exercises to strengthen key areas and relieve tightness and spasms. Our therapists also provide TENS therapy, which stimulates the nerves in your back without surgery. Learn more about physical therapy.

Pain Relief Injections

We use fluoroscopy (live X-rays) to deliver medication directly into the painful area with the highest precision. Our team provides all types of injections, including image-guided epidural corticosteroid injections and nerve blocks.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

This outpatient procedure destroys nerves that are causing chronic back or neck pain. Our specialists use imaging to guide a thin tool into the painful area, which releases heat directly on the nerves. 

Spinal Cord Stimulation

We guide a thin wire into the space near your spinal cord. The wire is attached to a tiny device that sends mild electrical impulses to interrupt pain signals. Spinal cord stimulation effectively treats chronic nerve-related back pain when other methods have not been successful.

Osteopathic Manipulation

Doctors of osteopathy (DOs) use manual (hand) techniques like pressing, massage and stretching to help align and balance painful muscles.