Steven Richeimer, MD, is a renowned specialist on issues related to chronic pain. He is the chief of the division of pain medicine at Keck Medicine of USC and a professor of clinical anesthesiology and psychiatry and the behavioral sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. 

Millions of people suffer from chronic low back pain around the country. It’s a common condition that can keep people from doing the things they want to do, and it can have a negative impact on one’s overall quality of life. Those who suffer from chronic low back pain are often searching for something that will help bring them relief. They may be overlooking one thing that is cost-effective, safe and doesn’t take a prescription.

When people visit the doctor with chronic low back pain, they are often prescribed injections, analgesics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Some of these options may help provide some relief, but usually it’s not for long, and the use of some of these options is considered questionable by some doctors and patients. Meditation is an alternative type of treatment option that few physicians think about, but the science suggests that maybe it should be recommended more often.

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