Are there any other treatments for chronic low back pain?

    Written by:
    Bill Willis

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Jeremy A. Alland, Nick Milazzo
    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    Chronic low back pain can be challenging to treat, and various alternative treatments have shown differing levels of success, including spinal cord stimulation, electrical brain stimulation, and interferential current electrotherapy. Complementary interventions such as acupuncture, yoga, massage therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction are also commonly used to manage this condition.

    Chronic low back pain can be stubborn and difficult to treat. Numerous alternative treatments have been tested in randomized controlled trials, with varying degrees of success. Additional treatments include:

    • Spinal cord stimulation[1]
    • Cerebral or peripheral electrical brain stimulation[2][3]
    • Interferential current electrotherapy, a type of electrical muscle stimulation used to treat chronic pain[4]
    • Botulinum toxin[5]

    Various complementary health, mind, and body interventions are also sometimes used to treat chronic low back pain, including:

    • Acupuncture[6]
    • Tai chi[7][8]
    • Yoga [9]
    • TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)[10]
    • Massage therapy[11]
    • Biofeedback[12]
    • Dry needling[13]
    • Cupping[14]
    • Low-level laser therapy[15]
    • Mindfulness-based stress reduction[16]
    • Spinal manipulation[17][9]
    • Prolotherapy[18]
    • Myofascial release[19]