Lower Back Pain Doctors
In Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida and Virginia
Our board-certified lower back pain doctors will accurately determine the cause of your lower back pain and devise an individualized treatment plan that is tailored to your unique health circumstances and pain symptoms.
Digital Guide
Treatment overview and more!
Comprehensive Lower Back Pain Treatment
Lower back pain is a common occurrence that can affect anyone. Many people can experience lower back pain from time to time, and for others, lower back pain can be a daily occurrence.
If lower back pain becomes chronic, it may be time to contact a specialist. Our team at Pain and Spine Specialists can determine the cause of your pain, the type of pain you're experiencing, and the best treatment options. Resolving these questions will allow you to pursue an effective plan of care that will effectively mitigate and manage your pain over the long term.
To learn more about lower back pain and treatment options, explore the resources listed below, covering our procedures, diagnosis steps, and many other frequently asked questions. If you're ready to speak with one of our board-certified pain specialists, please use our contact form or give us a call to schedule your new patient consultation.
What Patients Are Saying
Great office, good people. Been there quite a few years. Never a problem. Leave them a message, they always respond. I've had six back surgeries 2knees and right shoulder. Gregg keeps my chronic debilitating pain managed well so I can still live my life best I can. Im so grateful.
Jenny Martins / google review
Dr. Rao. I can't find the words to tell you how much he has meant to me. I followed him from an old practice to his very new high tech office. They offer so many different areas of assistance to those with issues from nutrition to spinal surgery... and much more. His office is professional.
Mom To2 / vitals
Dr. Rao is such an amazing doctor! During my first visit, he never tried to rush through my appt.; he genuinely listened to all my concerns and then took his time to explain to me in detail all his recommendations and how they would help me.
Nikki / healthgrades
Lower Back Pain Treatment Guide
Lower Back Pain Digital Guide
Look through our digital guide with everything you need to know about our providers, locations, conditions we treat, treatments we offer, and many other frequently asked questions about Lower Back Pain.
More Resources
Access to our Lower Back Pain guide, pain quiz, FAQ's, and patient reviews.
We Accept All Insurances
Individualized Patient Care
Board Certified Doctors
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What Is Lower Back Pain?
The spinal column is composed of vertebrae that are padded with intervertebral discs. Cushioning each vertebra, these jelly-like discs work as shock absorbers protecting the spinal column and the body, especially during movement.
Located in the lumbar region of the spine, the lower back supports much of your upper body. Within the lower spinal column, there is an intricate network of bones, nerves, and tissue. This complex network is the basis of the body’s ability to move and feel physical sensations. These spinal nerves interpret pain sensations and transmit pain signals to the brain.
Various activities can cause stress and strain on lower back bones, nerves, and tissue, which may lead to pain. Depending on the individual's activity level and lifestyle choices, a person may experience acute pain which is short-term, or chronic, which is long-term lower back pain.
When lower back pain does not resolve on its own, it is essential to consult a medical professional. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to managing lower back pain, reducing the likelihood of developing chronic conditions. A qualified physician can tell the difference between a short-term injury and pain that requires long-term management. In some cases, further evaluation is needed by a back pain specialists.
Low back pain is a common issue, affecting a staggering 619 million people
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 39.0% of adults experience back pain.
Suffer from chronic severe back pain
Types of Lower Back Pain
The frequency with which lower back pain is experienced will define the type of pain occurring. Lower back pain occurs as either acute or chronic, and these two types of pain may require different treatment methods.
Treatment is shaped by the type of pain felt. But what does it mean? Acute lower back pain implies the pain is experienced briefly. The pain symptoms may resolve on their own with little medical involvement. Many individuals may find relief from simple home remedies and over-the-counter medicines.
The pain symptoms can resolve on their own with some rest and care. Chronic lower back pain lasts longer than 12 weeks and can escalate in nature. Chronic lower back pain can progressively limit your mobility in your day-to-day life, significantly impacting your functionality.
This type of chronic pain usually requires assistance from a back pain specialist who can evaluate your symptoms and determine a course of action. Chronic lower back pain may be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition or a manifestation of a larger injury.
A skilled lower back pain specialist will review the duration of your back pain and diagnose the cause of your symptoms. They will verify your pain history and associated pain symptoms and check your medical history to better ascertain the most beneficial treatment method.
Causes of Lower Back Pain
Various things can cause lower back pain. Strained muscles are the most common cause of these pain symptoms. Lower back pain may be a direct result of an injury or an additional medical condition affecting the region.
Common causes of strain-induced lower back pain are:
- Prolonged Sitting: Sitting hunched over or having poor posture while sitting at your work desk all day can contribute to lower back pain. The lack of lumbar support can exacerbate the damage to your lower back.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: Not being physically fit contributes to weak back and abdominal muscles. The lack of strength in your muscles won't properly support your spine, making injury more likely.
- Highly Physical Job: A job that requires frequent twisting or bending and heavy lifting can lead to injury and back pain.
- Strains/Sprains: Often a result of improper lifting, sudden movements, or poor posture, strains and sprains occur when muscles and ligaments in the lower back are stretched or torn.
- Inflammation: Inflamed muscles from injury or overuse. Often triggered by injury or stress, can lead to discomfort and stiffness in the lower back.
- Chronic Conditions: Like arthritis and fibromyalgia.
- Injured Discs
- Nerve Root Pain: Like sciatica.
When there is a disruption in how the back components operate, it can be considered a “mechanical” problem. The functionality can be limited or impacted by conditions that cause lower back pain.
Mechanical Conditions that Cause Lower Back Pain
- Herniated Disc: Also known as a slipped or ruptured disc, a herniated disc occurs when the soft inner material of the spinal disc bulges or leaks through a tear in its outer layer. This can cause pressure on nearby nerves, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: As we age, the discs in our spine may lose hydration, elasticity, and height. This degeneration can lead to chronic pain and stiffness, as well as increased susceptibility to other spine-related conditions.
- Spinal Stenosis: This condition develops when the spinal canal narrows, compressing the spinal cord and nerve roots. Spinal stenosis can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the lower back and legs, often worsening with prolonged standing or walking.
- Spondylolisthesis: Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra in the lower spine slips out of its normal position, causing misalignment and potential nerve compression. This can result in lower back pain, muscle tightness, and nerve-related symptoms.
- Sciatica: caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, can also contribute to lower back pain, often accompanied by leg pain, numbness, or weakness.
- Fibromyalgia: This chronic pain disorder causes widespread musculoskeletal pain, including in the lower back. Fibromyalgia is believed to affect the way the brain processes pain signals, leading to increased sensitivity and discomfort. In addition to pain, fibromyalgia often results in fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tender points throughout the body.
- Arthritis: Arthritis refers to inflammation of the joints and can affect various areas, including the lower back. The two most common types of arthritis that may cause lower back pain are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Osteoarthritis: This degenerative joint disease occurs when the protective cartilage between bones wears away over time. In the lower back, osteoarthritis can lead to the breakdown of the facet joints, causing pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: This autoimmune disorder causes the immune system to attack the lining of the joints, resulting in inflammation, pain, and joint damage. Although less common in the lower back, rheumatoid arthritis can still affect the spine and cause discomfort.
Symptoms of Lower Back Pain
The cause of your low back pain can manifest your pain symptoms in various ways. Lower back pain can have a sudden onset or happen gradually. But the symptoms may be very similar.
Symptoms can be experienced when walking, standing, lying down, and many other situations. Your body’s positioning may also determine the severity of your symptoms.
Common symptoms include:
- Dull/aching pain in your lumbar region
- Pain that travels to your butt, legs, and feet
- Increased pain after prolonged sitting
- Muscle spasms in your lower back/pelvis/hip regions
- Finding pain relief after changing positions
The pain symptoms in your lower back will guide your back pain specialist to determine the best treatment method for effective relief.
Lower Back Pain Treatments
A lower back pain specialist can review your back pain symptoms and accurately diagnose its source. A lower back pain specialist must evaluate your symptoms to devise a treatment plan for effective pain relief appropriately. Your back pain specialist may recommend a combination of treatments that best fit your goals and lifestyle. Here is an overview of traditional, advance, and alternative treatments for lower back pain:
Non-Surgical / Traditional Treatments
Our pain management center offers a variety of non-surgical and traditional treatments to address your lower back pain. These options include medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes:
Advanced Interventional Procedures for Lower Back Pain
For more complex cases, we provide advanced interventional procedures to effectively target the source of your lower back pain:
Injection Therapies for Lower Back Pain
Injection therapy can be a successful treatment for lumbar pain as well. With the guidance of a pain specialist, individuals may incorporate this therapy independently or in conjunction with their other pain management treatments. In some cases, spinal injections may even provide longer-lasting results.
Alternative Therapies for Lower Back Pain
We recognize the importance of a holistic approach to pain management and collaborate with our sister company, Shakthi Health and Wellness Center, to provide alternative therapies:
Comprehensive Lower Back Pain Treatment At Pain and Spine Specialists
When dealing with chronic lower back pain, seeking professional help from our pain management center can provide numerous advantages to help you regain control of your life. Our team of experts is dedicated to offering comprehensive care that addresses the root cause of your pain and provides lasting relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should see a pain management specialist or a spine specialist. At Pain and Spine Specialists, our team includes board-certified physicians trained in diagnosing and treating all types of lower back pain.
If your lower back pain lasts more than a few days, keeps coming back, or affects your daily activities, it’s time to see a doctor. Early diagnosis can prevent chronic issues and help with faster recovery.
Lower back pain can result from muscle strain, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, arthritis, or poor posture. Our specialists conduct thorough evaluations to identify the root cause.
Treatments may include physical therapy, medications, injections, nerve blocks, or minimally invasive procedures. Our goal is to relieve pain and restore function without unnecessary surgery.
Yes, most cases of lower back pain can be effectively managed without surgery. Our non-surgical options are customized to each patient’s condition and lifestyle.
Pain accompanied by leg weakness, numbness, loss of bladder control, or unintentional weight loss may indicate a more serious condition. These symptoms should be evaluated immediately.
Minimally invasive treatments often have less risk, less pain, and quicker recovery times than traditional surgery. They can also often be performed on an outpatient basis.
Yes, a herniated or bulging disc is a common cause of lower back pain and may press on nearby nerves, leading to leg pain or sciatica. We offer advanced treatments to relieve disc-related symptoms.
Recovery varies depending on the cause and treatment plan, but many patients start to feel relief within a few weeks. Chronic conditions may require ongoing management.
About Us
We are a comprehensive pain management practice with board-certified Lower Back Pain in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia that specialize in innovative treatments for Lower Back Pain.
Digital Guide
View our providers, locations, services, and patient reviews.
More Resources
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Related Pain Conditions
Lower Back Pain is often caused by the following conditions.
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*We accept workers' comp and personal injury claim patients
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Appointment FAQ's
We Accept All Insurances!
That includes Medicare and state Medicaid.
Usually within one week of the initial call.
Appointments can be schedule by phone or through our contact form here.
At Pain and Spine Specialists we provide comprehensive pain care while offering the most up-to-date minimally invasive techniques. Our ethos is to treat each patient (and potential patient) as if they were a family member.
At Pain and Spine Specialists we want to provide the most efficient and pleasurable experience possible. As in all medical facilities, we have certain policies in place to ensure that you receive the time you require to address your needs as well as enhance your experience while in our care.
We encourage patient feedback to better improve your experience. We strive to create a friendly and warm environment where patients feel their voices are heard and validated.
Meet Our Team
Lower Back Pain Doctors in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida and Virginia
Our skilled back and spine specialists can diagnose the cause of your lower back pain and treat your symptoms effectively. Our team, consisting of physician assistants and nurse practitioners, is committed to providing effective, minimally invasive treatment options to patients across Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Virginia. We understand that each patient is unique, which is why we take the time to get to know you and your specific health needs.
