Lower Back Pain Relief

Advanced Lumbar Care Near You in New Jersey

Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical treatment. It affects people of any age, with causes ranging from overexertion to chronic conditions. Kurdali Spine & Pain provides non-surgical lower back pain relief at locations near you in New Jersey. Patients receive same-day diagnosis and treatment, helping them get back to their normal lifestyles.

Key Takeaways

Lower back pain is pain that originates in or around the lower (lumbar) spine.
Common symptoms of lower back pain include sharp or aching pain, tingling or pins-and-needles sensations, numbness, stiffness, loss of muscle control, and muscle spasms.
Common causes of lower back pain include sprains and strains, overuse injuries, arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and sciatica.
Kurdali Spine & Pain provides non-surgical relief for neck, back, nerve, muscle, and joint pain, offering same-day diagnosis and treatment for patients in New Jersey.

What Is Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain is pain that originates in and around the lumbar spine, which is the lower level of the spine. The lumbar spine’s main functions are to support the weight of the upper body, enable movement, and protect the spinal nerves. It also helps:

Since the lower spine supports the majority of the body’s weight, it is subject to large amounts of stress. This can make it highly susceptible to injury, wear and tear, or other forms of damage to its substructures, which can lead a person to experience pain.

What Are Common Symptoms of Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain symptoms may manifest in many ways. The pain may be intense, or it may be dull and aching. It can be mild or severe. While every person experiences low back pain differently, patients should pay attention to hallmark symptoms, such as:

Aching pain
Sharp pain
Stabbing or throbbing pain
Pain that gets worse when bending, twisting, or sitting down
Sudden muscle contractions (spasms) that can be mild or painful
Pain that is worse at certain times of the day, such as after waking up
Pain that spreads or radiates into the buttocks, hips, or legs
Tingling or pins-and-needles sensations in the buttocks, hips, or legs
Stiffness or muscle tightness in the back
Numbness or loss of sensation in the buttocks, hips, or legs
Muscle weakness in the buttocks, hips, or legs
Loss of muscle coordination or control
Loss of bowel or bladder control

Symptoms of lower back pain are sometimes acute. This refers to pain that appears for a short time after being caused by an injury, muscle strain, or surgery. Acute pain goes away by itself or after medical treatment. Other types of back pain, meanwhile, are chronic. This refers to pain that lasts for months at a time or repeatedly comes back, even after treatment. While chronic pain cannot always be eliminated, effective pain management strategies can help reduce symptoms for a higher quality of life.

What Are the Causes and Risk Factors of Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain can result from a variety of causes, including:

Strains and Sprains

Strains and sprains are two of the most common causes of lower back pain. Strains are injuries to the muscles or tendons. Sprains are injuries to ligaments. Both types occur after a movement that stretches the back beyond its normal capabilities, such as a severe twist or lifting a heavy object. Physical work, sports involvement, and insufficient stretching can all increase a person’s risk of injury.

Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries, also called repetitive strain injuries (RSIs), feel similar to acute strains or sprains. Instead of being caused by a single traumatic event, however, they arise from accumulated damage due to repeated overuse. Constantly bending down at work, for example, can cause an overuse injury. Repeated twisting motions for sports may also cause overuse injuries, especially without a proper warm-up.

Arthritis

Back arthritis is caused by a lifetime of wear and tear on the spine cartilage. The degradation reduces the cartilage’s resilience, creating a rough, brittle surface that grinds when the joint flexes. This results in aching pains and stiffness in the back. Arthritis may also cause bone spurs, or abnormal bony growths that irritate nearby tissue and press against the spinal cord or root nerves.

Facet Joint Syndrome

Facet joint syndrome is a collection of symptoms that are caused by irritation in the joints between vertebrae. Patients experience pain, stiffness, and a reduced range of motion in the affected joints. Facet joint syndrome is commonly caused by arthritis. Less commonly, it may also be caused by other facet joint problems, such as injuries, repetitive movements, or disc degeneration.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is the result of wear and tear on spinal discs. Over time, the discs become brittle and inflexible. They also lose height, becoming thin and compressed. Degenerated discs cause chronic pain and stiffness in the spine. They are also vulnerable to injury, increasing the likelihood that the patient will experience a herniated disc.

Herniated Discs

A herniated disc occurs when a spinal disc becomes damaged. The damage creates a weak spot in the rubbery outer layer (annulus fibrosus) that allows the gel-like center (nucleus pulposus) to bulge outward or leak. The bulging or leaking nucleus irritates nearby soft tissues. It may also create pressure against the spinal cord or a root nerve, causing a pinched nerve or radiculopathy.

Radiculopathy and Sciatica

Radiculopathy refers to pain caused by a pinched nerve. One common type of radiculopathy is known as sciatica, caused by pinching of the sciatic nerve, resulting in pain typically felt in the lower back and down the legs. Root nerves connect the spinal cord with the arms and legs, allowing them to exchange information with the brain. When a root nerve is compressed due to a bone spur or herniated disc, its signals are interrupted. This interference results in nerve symptoms, such as burning pain, tingling sensations, and numbness.

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) refers to a spine surgery that has failed to provide relief. In some cases, back surgery does not adequately address the cause of a patient’s pain. In others, continued degeneration causes pain that comes back, sometimes years after treatment. FBSS results in continued, new, or worsening pain that cannot always be effectively treated with a second surgery.

When to Seek Care for Lower Back Pain

Not every type of back pain is serious. Some patients experience only mild symptoms that get better with rest and home care. In some cases, however, medical treatment is required to relieve lower back pain. The following signs indicate it is time to seek medical care:

When home care is no longer sufficient to provide relief, Kurdali Spine & Pain can help. Dr. Basil Kurdali provides modern, non-surgical solutions for all types of lower back pain, from mild strains to chronic and degenerative conditions. His treatments help patients manage their symptoms, recover quickly, and maintain a higher quality of life. He often can begin treatment on your very first visit.

How Is Lower Back Pain Diagnosed?

To treat lower back pain effectively, Dr. Kurdali must first identify its cause. Appointments at Kurdali Spine & Pain begin with a thorough diagnostic process. First, Dr. Kurdali performs a physical examination. He feels the patient’s back, observes its range of motion, and asks about what symptoms the patient experiences and when. He will also check their medical history for injuries or surgeries that might be related.

If the patient’s pain has lasted for longer than a few weeks, or if the patient is experiencing symptoms of a nerve issue, Dr. Kurdali will request same-day medical imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) produces images that are used to identify problems with soft tissue, such as muscles, tendons, and discs. Dr. Kurdali may also perform a nerve evaluation to learn more about the patient’s nerve function and determine whether any nerves have become impinged.

What Are the Lower Back Pain Relief Options at Kurdali Spine & Pain?

The lower back pain diagnosis will form the foundation for a personalized care plan. Dr. Kurdali understands that patients who are in pain do not want to wait days, weeks, or months for relief. He provides treatment on the same day as the patient’s initial visit, letting them go home with their pain already addressed. Treatments provided at Kurdali Spine & Pain include:

Home Care

Many lower back pain treatments begin with home care. Dr. Kurdali provides guidance for rest and activity modifications to promote recovery and prevent future pain. Other forms of home care involve heat or cold therapy, improved pre-workout warmups, or wearing a brace.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy rebuilds strength and flexibility through targeted exercises. It helps to improve the patient’s range of movement, increase support around the back, and relieve pain. Physical therapy also reduces the risk of re-injury, helping patients avoid recurring pain.

Medications

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can reduce pain and inflammation from sprains, strains, and degeneration. Dr. Kurdali may also prescribe corticosteroid medications for short-term management of severe pain.

Spine Injections

Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) deliver corticosteroid medication directly into the painful joint, providing relief for weeks or months at a time. This treatment is also effective at reducing impingement and is often recommended for radiculopathy and sciatica.

Why Choose Kurdali Spine & Pain?

Patients whose lives have been impacted by lower back pain can find relief at Kurdali Spine & Pain. Led by a board-certified pain management specialist, Dr. Basil Kurdali, we provide a high level of care driven by accurate diagnoses and medically proven treatments. Patients receive same-day care for their pain, walking out with a diagnosis and a treatment plan on their first appointment. They don’t have to wait days, weeks, or months to get relief.

Surgery is not the best option for every patient with back pain. Treatments at Kurdali Spine & Pain are focused on keeping patients out of surgery for as long as possible with an emphasis on advanced, non-surgical pain management strategies. If surgery becomes unavoidable, Dr. Kurdali can recommend patients to his network of trusted surgeons to ensure the highest level of care.

Find Lower Back Pain Relief Near You in New Jersey

Lower back pain may be a common complaint, but it is not inescapable. Find relief today at Kurdali Spine & Pain. Dr. Kurdali provides a full range of non-surgical relief options for neck, back, nerve, muscle, and joint pain. Contact us to learn more about our treatment options for lower back pain relief or to schedule an appointment at one of our locations near you in New Jersey.

Lower Back Pain FAQ

When is imaging recommended for back pain?

Medical imaging (MRI or X-ray) is recommended if back pain has persisted for four to six weeks, or if certain symptoms, such as numbness or tingling, are present.

When does lower back pain suggest sciatica or nerve compression?

Lower back pain suggests sciatica or nerve compression when “red flag” symptoms are present. These symptoms include burning pain, radiating or traveling pain, tingling sensations, numbness, loss of coordination, and loss of bowel or bladder control.

What insurance does Kurdali Spine & Pain accept?

Kurdali Spine & Pain works with all major insurance carriers, including Medicare. We work with every patient to understand their insurance benefits with a quick call and an insurance verification process.