Doctors at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore said there are a few ways for sufferers of chronic back pain to avoid surgery. First, people with chronic back pain should try physical therapy to learn better posture and strengthen the core. Second, yoga and meditation can teach someone in pain not to focus on their discomfort. Third, massage, acupuncture and pain management medication can help someone in pain avoid a costly surgery and a lengthy recovery time.

Read more: Healthy Living: Help for back pain sufferers - How to avoid going under the knife - KUSI