Moda Health. Healthcare from your head to your toes. Delta Dental | Moda Health
OEBB

Alternative treatments

It is important to understand and consider all factors – including additional costs – as you discuss treatment options with your provider. When it comes to treatment for back pain there are many options.

Rest and pain relief

Doctors usually prescribe bed rest for up to two days and pain-killing medication such as aspirin, ibuprofen or another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). In some cases, corticosteroids, given either as a pill or injection around the spinal nerves, or muscle relaxants may be needed.

It is important for people with backaches to remain active. Long-term, prolonged bed rest may actually delay healing and is no longer recommended.

Be careful not to perform movements that cause pain or discomfort. Your doctor may suggest a back brace or neck collar to limit movement and ease the pressure on sensitive nerves while the disk heals.  In severe cases, full or partial traction may be needed.

TENS

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a treatment given with a device that applies a small electrical current to critical points along the path of a nerve. It is unclear why or how it works.

TENS is not painful and may be effective therapy to mask pain from conditions such as diabetic neuropathy.

TENS for chronic low back pain is not effective and cannot be recommended, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) now says.  Some spine surgeons consider the use of TENS for any back-pain management controversial.

Massage

Massage may reduce low back pain, especially when combined with exercises and other back care treatment

Acupuncture

Some patients have reported significant relief with acupuncture treatment.

Resources

Please visit these resources for more information:

Discography, 2012. Medscape

Spinal injections, 2009. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Discogram, 2012. Mayo Clinic

We're sorry, this information is not available in . Please use the dropdown at the top of the page if you would like to view information for another state.

Moda Health Provider Network

Find a physician, pharmacy or clinic

Opt in for medical

Tell us you're interested and we'll be in touch with details.

Get Started  Get Started

Member Dashboard

Questions?

If you can't find an answer, please feel free to contact our Customer Service Customer Service Customer Service

Questions?

If you can't find an answer, please feel free to contact our Customer Service

Employer web tools

Benefit Tracker

Check benefits and eligibility

Log in

Account help

Request an account

Provider Reports

For value-based provider programs, including Synergy, Summit, Beacon, Affinity, CPC+, and EOCCO

Log in

Join our email list

Sign up

Benefit Tracker

Check benefits, eligibility, incentive and utilization

Log In

Account help

Create an account

Producer web tools


Hello.

We have exciting news to share. ODS is changing its name to Moda Health.

Moda comes from the latin term "modus" and means "a way". We picked it because that's what we are here to do: help our communities find a way to better health.

Together, we can be more, be better.

Please select the state you live in, or the state where your employer is headquartered, so we can tailor your experience:

Hello.

Please select the state you live in, or the state where your employer is headquartered, so we can tailor your experience:

Changing your location to Oregon

You can return to your previous location in the site header.