Spine Condition
Low Back Pain
The most common spine complaint — and what works.
Low back pain is the single most common musculoskeletal complaint, affecting up to 80% of adults at some point. Most cases are muscle strain that resolves within 2–6 weeks. The cases that don't usually trace to a structural cause: a herniated disc, lumbar stenosis, facet arthritis, or sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Our spine team identifies which cause is driving your pain and treats it directly.
Understanding the Condition
What is Low Back Pain?
The lumbar spine carries the body's weight and provides the flexibility for bending, twisting, and lifting. It's also the area most susceptible to wear and injury. Low back pain is classified by duration: acute (under 4 weeks, usually muscle strain), subacute (4–12 weeks), and chronic (over 12 weeks, more likely structural).
Around 90% of acute low back pain is mechanical — muscles, ligaments, or facet joints — and resolves with conservative care. The remaining 10% involves nerve compression, spinal instability, or referred pain from another structure (kidney, hip, etc.). Identifying the structural cause is what guides effective treatment.
Common Causes
- Muscle or ligament strain (most common acute cause)
- Lumbar disc herniation or degeneration
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Lumbar facet joint arthritis
- Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction
- Spondylolisthesis (vertebra slipping forward)
- Compression fracture (especially in osteoporosis)
- Referred pain from kidney, hip, or pelvic conditions
Common Symptoms
- Aching or sharp pain in the lower back
- Stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting
- Pain that worsens with bending, lifting, or twisting
- Pain that may radiate into the buttocks or thighs
- Severe cases: leg pain, weakness, or numbness (sciatica)
- Red flags: fever, unexplained weight loss, bladder/bowel changes (urgent)
When to Seek Care
When Should You See a Specialist?
See a specialist for back pain lasting over 6 weeks, pain after significant trauma, pain accompanied by leg symptoms, or any 'red flag' symptoms (fever, weight loss, history of cancer, bladder/bowel changes). Most acute back pain doesn't need a specialist — but persistent or atypical pain benefits from a clear diagnosis.
Treatment Options
How We Treat Low Back Pain
We always begin with the least invasive treatment that's likely to work for you. Surgery is reserved for cases where conservative care has been given a fair trial — or when the situation truly requires it.
Conservative (Non-Surgical) Care
- Physical therapy with directional preference assessment
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Image-guided epidural steroid injections (for radicular pain)
- Facet joint injections and radiofrequency ablation
- Sacroiliac joint injections
- Activity modification and ergonomic correction
- Weight management and core strengthening
Surgical Options
- Microdiscectomy (for disc herniation with sciatica)
- Laminectomy / laminotomy (for stenosis)
- Spinal fusion (for instability or failed conservative care)
- Disc replacement (for select degenerative disc cases)
- Kyphoplasty (for compression fractures)
Recovery & Outlook
What to Expect After Treatment
Most acute low back pain resolves within 2–6 weeks regardless of treatment. Chronic back pain is harder to fix completely but can usually be reduced significantly with the right combination of PT, interventional pain management, and surgery when indicated.
Meet Your Team
Specialists Who Treat Low Back Pain
Related Treatments
Services That Address Low Back Pain
Low Back Pain — Frequently Asked Questions
Related Conditions
You May Also Want to Read About
Herniated Disc
When disc material pushes out and presses on nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness.
Spinal Stenosis
Narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
Sciatica
Pain radiating along the sciatic nerve from the lower back through the hips and down each leg.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Age-related wear and tear on spinal discs causing pain, instability, and reduced mobility.
Compression Fractures
Vertebral fractures from osteoporosis, trauma, or tumor causing sudden back pain and height loss.
Get Expert Help for Low Back Pain
Our specialists can diagnose your condition and design a personalized treatment plan that gets you back to the life you love.