There is no real definitive answer, as some things work for some people and not others. IN GENERAL, opioids are going to be his best bet, if his pain is severe. I will say, though, that all of those "non-opioid" so-called treatments do NOT work for people with severe pain; maybe mindfulness works for mild or even moderate pain, but I can guarantee you that they don't work on severe pain.

I don't think you'll get many answers as there's no definitive answer.

I "climbed" the WHO pain ladder as recommended by my neurologist for my chemo induced peripheral neuropathy and found that only Percocet worked for me...45mg/day. Not pain free but at least I can sleep better. We pain patients are being persecuted due to a hysteria created by PROP and one Dr. Kolodny...go ahead...look it up for yourself. It's unconscionable!

Then, contact your State legislators and tell them about the intractable pain you are enduring from your State Medical Board due to their inability/unwillingness to understand that pain patients across America are suffering horrendous and unbearable levels of pain caused by State Medical Boards and the DEA who are imposing non-evidence based medical rules regarding controlled prescription pain medications, resulting in severe pain medicine shortages, thereby forcing legitimate pain patients to seek pain relief from unregulated sources, causing a worsening of our fellow citizens suffering from Fentanyl poison and death!

We must each find the strength to tell them, and to tell them in numbers too big to ignore...or they will in fact...ignore us! 💜

I have a very easy stretch that he can do.

The long road ahead of chronic back pain,I also agree that opiods are your best option,I'm on fentanyl patches I'm also on tramadol I know that people in the U.S have difficulty in getting a GP to prescribe A class medication in the UK our doctors aren't under pressure from the DEA ! Good luck in your treatment options.