Published on Oct. 22, 2026
Older adults living with back or neck pain do not always need surgery to find relief. At the Back & Neck Health Center, part of the MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute at Long Beach Medical Center, patients can access specialized nonsurgical spine care designed to reduce pain, improve mobility and help them stay active and independent.
For many people, life with persistent pain can make walking with friends, traveling, gardening, low-impact exercise or spending time with grandchildren more difficult. While these aches are often mistaken as a normal part of aging, early evaluation and a personalized care plan can help many patients explore relief before considering a surgical consult.
Only a small percentage of people with back or neck pain need surgery. The first step is often evaluating nonsurgical options that may help relieve pain and improve function. If those options have been exhausted, patients can be referred to a spine surgeon for a consultation, but for many people, surgery is not the first step.
Patients at the Back & Neck Health Center can explore advanced nonsurgical treatment options through a dedicated care pathway that includes physical therapy, guided rehabilitation, pain management, image-guided spine injections and movement-focused programs designed to improve strength, flexibility and function.
For patients whose chronic pain has not responded to other treatments, including surgery, spinal cord stimulation may be an alternative. This minimally invasive therapy uses a small, implanted device to deliver electrical impulses to the spinal cord, helping modify how pain signals are perceived by the brain. Before proceeding with permanent implantation, patients undergo a temporary trial to evaluate the therapy’s effectiveness and determine whether it provides meaningful pain relief.
MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute provides full-spectrum spine care in one program, connecting patients with nonsurgical spine specialists, rehabilitation experts and spine surgeons who work together to determine the appropriate treatment. This coordinated approach helps patients receive the right care while avoiding unnecessary procedures, offering treatment that ranges from rehabilitation and nonsurgical care to minimally invasive and complex spine surgery when needed.
Common causes of back & neck pain include arthritis, spinal stenosis, herniated discs and age-related wear and tear. Left untreated, these conditions can affect mobility, balance, sleep quality and overall quality of life. For older adults, being able to move comfortably is closely tied to independence, confidence and the ability to keep doing the activities they enjoy.
Helping patients return to movement is an important part of spine care. When older adults can walk farther, garden, travel, exercise or spend time with family with less pain, they are better able to maintain independence and continue the daily activities that matter most.
Persistent back or neck pain does not have to limit how you age. Early evaluation can help identify the source of pain, expand treatment options and support long-term spine health so you can stay active for years to come.
Learn more about the Back & Neck Health Center.
Medically reviewed by:
Andrew Hanna, D.O., medical director, Back & Neck Health Center, MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute, Long Beach Medical Center
About the Author:
Andrew Hanna, D.O., is a fellowship-trained, double board-certified pain medicine and physical medicine & rehabilitation (PM&R) specialist. He practices with PainDocsNow, United Medical Doctors and serves as the Medical Director, Back & Neck Health Center at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center.
His clinical interests spans the full spectrum of spine-related disorders resulting from injuries, degenerative changes, and other complex conditions. He is committed to delivering personalized, comprehensive care by integrating medical, interventional, and rehabilitative therapies to optimize patient outcomes.
Dr. Hanna earned his osteopathic medicine degree from the University of Nevada Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency in physical medicine & rehabilitation from UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. He then completed a fellowship in pain medicine from UCLA David School of Medicine, providing outpatient care at West Los Angeles Veteran’s Affairs. Dr. Hanna is double board-certified in physician rehabilitation & pain medicine by The American Osteopathic Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and The American Osteopathic Board of Pain Consortium.
Dr. Hanna served as a clinical instructor at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, emphasizing his dedication to medical education and mentorship. He is a diplomate with The American Osteopathic Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and The American Osteopathic Board of Pain Consortium.