By Pat Anson, Editor

Chronic lower back pain has traditionally been treated with pain relievers, physical therapy and surgery. But new studies are showing promise for two alternative methods for treating back pain that are minimally invasive and don’t involve the use of drugs.

The first is cooled radio frequency (RF). In this procedure, radio frequency waves are used to produce heat on specific nerves surrounding the spine. The heat creates lesions around the nerves, destroying or reducing their ability to transmit pain signals to the brain. The patient remains awake during the procedure and is usually sent home afterwards.

Read more at National Pain Report.