DENVER, Colo. -- Each year, more than 15 million Americans suffer from lower back pain. Most of the time, pain medications and physical therapy can relieve the pain, but if that's not enough, a new, noninvasive surgery is being used to help patients get back on their feet.

Surgeons at the University of Colorado are using the cutting-edge technology called AxiaLif.

It's a noninvasive surgery that's performed through a small incision right above the tailbone. The surgeon then places a rod into the spine until it reaches the diseased disc. Then, the center of the disc is removed and bone growth material is put in its place.

Surgeons then realign the spine, which restores normal disc height. Screws are then inserted to stabilize the back.

In the past, surgeons had to make the incision in front of the abdomen, and go through the stomach. Doctors would then have to deal with blood vessels that sit in front of the disc, putting the patient at a higher risk, doctors said.

With AxiaLif, the surgery is complete within one hour, and many patients are home within in 24 hours. "We've got a much more efficient procedure, much less risk, much less problem for the patient in recovery," said Dr. Robert Simon, a spinal surgeon from Florida.

Dr. Simon is among several surgeons from across the country that is coming to the University of Colorado to learn the proper techniques when performing the new surgery. The surgeons at University of Colorado have been performing AxiaLif for the past year, and they are now teaching other surgeons how to do it quickly and safely.

"It's one more tool in our pockets to take care of patients safer," said Dr. Vikas Patel, chief of Orthopedic Spine Surgery at the University of Colorado.

AxiaLif