Treatment Overview

Chronic low back pain treatment follows a "stepped care" approach. You start with safe, well-supported methods and move to the next step only when needed.

An important note: If you feel like you have "tried everything and nothing works," take a moment to review these steps. Research shows that with the right combination of treatments — and enough time — many people do improve. Sometimes what matters is not just which treatments you try, but how they are combined and how long you stay with them.

What You'll Learn

• Chronic low back pain is treated in steps — starting with the safest and most well-supported options
• What each step involves, and what the evidence says about it
• Why exercise + education + psychological approaches form the foundation of treatment
• Why spinal fusion is generally not recommended for non-specific chronic low back pain
• What options exist when conservative treatments have not helped