Back pain can take control of your life — making even simple tasks feel impossible. When medications, rest, and stretching haven’t worked, back surgery can start to sound like the only solution.
But for many people, it isn’t.
At Cedar Rapids Pain Associates, we help patients find real, lasting relief without surgery, using safe, advanced, and minimally invasive treatments designed to target the true cause of pain.
Before you commit to the operating room, here are 8 proven treatments worth trying first.
1️⃣ Epidural Steroid Injections
If your pain radiates down your back or legs, an epidural steroid injection can help.
By delivering anti-inflammatory medication directly around irritated spinal nerves, this simple in-office procedure reduces inflammation and nerve irritation — often providing quick, meaningful relief.
Best for: Herniated discs, sciatica, or spinal stenosis.
2️⃣ Medial Branch Blocks & Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Pain coming from the small facet joints in your spine often responds well to this two-step approach.
A medial branch block temporarily numbs the tiny nerves transmitting pain from those joints — confirming the source.
If successful, a radiofrequency ablation can “turn off” those nerves, providing long-lasting relief that can last 6–12 months.
Best for: Arthritic facet joint pain, chronic neck or low-back pain.
3️⃣ Spinal Decompression Therapy
This gentle, computer-guided traction therapy relieves pressure on compressed spinal discs and nerves.
By creating negative pressure within the spine, spinal decompression therapy allows bulging discs to retract, improves circulation, and supports healing — all without surgery.
Best for: Herniated or bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, chronic lower-back pain.
4️⃣ Trigger Point Injections
Sometimes the pain isn’t coming from your spine at all — it’s from tight, knotted muscles known as trigger points.
Trigger point injections deliver a small amount of anesthetic or medication into these tense muscle bands, releasing the spasm and restoring normal movement.
Relief can be immediate and lasting, especially when combined with physical therapy or chiropractic care.
Best for: Muscle tension, myofascial pain, and neck or shoulder tightness.
5️⃣ PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Injections
PRP therapy uses your body’s own healing power to repair damaged tissues and reduce inflammation naturally.
A small sample of your blood is spun down to concentrate the platelets — rich in growth factors — and injected into the affected area to stimulate repair.
It’s a cutting-edge, natural alternative for patients who want to heal rather than mask pain.
Best for: Disc degeneration, joint pain, and tendon or ligament injuries.
6️⃣ MLS® Robotic Laser Therapy
Our MLS® Laser Therapy uses synchronized light energy to reduce inflammation, calm nerves, and speed up cellular healing.
Completely non-invasive and pain-free, most sessions take just 10–15 minutes — with no downtime.
Many patients experience noticeable relief after only a few visits.
Best for: Arthritis, nerve inflammation, sciatica, and chronic soft-tissue pain.
7️⃣ Shockwave Therapy
Also called Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), this treatment delivers targeted acoustic waves that stimulate blood flow and tissue regeneration.
It breaks down scar tissue, enhances mobility, and helps chronic conditions heal naturally — especially when other treatments haven’t worked.
Best for: Chronic muscle pain, tendon injuries, and post-surgical stiffness.
8️⃣ Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Care
Restoring spinal alignment, muscle strength, and flexibility is essential for long-term recovery.
Our integrated physical therapy and chiropractic team collaborates to restore balance, correct posture, and improve core stability — helping your body heal and preventing future flare-ups.
Best for: Postural imbalances, movement dysfunction, and chronic back or neck pain.
When to Get a Second Opinion
If you’ve been told surgery is your only option, don’t rush.
Many patients find that the right combination of non-surgical treatments provides the relief they’ve been searching for — without the risks, downtime, or cost of surgery.
Our specialists at Cedar Rapids Pain Associates will evaluate your imaging, history, and pain pattern to design a customized plan for you.
Find Relief Before Surgery
At Cedar Rapids Pain Associates, our multidisciplinary team — including medical pain specialists, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, and chiropractors — works together to provide comprehensive, non-surgical solutions that help patients heal faster and move better.
📍 Located at 4205 Glass Rd NE Cedar Rapids, Iowa
📞 Call (319) 294-0094 or Request an Appointment
We’ll help you explore every option — before you consider surgery.