Chronic Low Back Pain
Low back pain becomes "chronic" when it lasts more than about three months. It often has more than one cause, which is why a careful diagnosis, pinpointing the specific pain source, is the key to lasting relief.
Symptoms
- Persistent aching or stiffness in the low back
- Pain that may radiate into the buttock or leg
- Flares with certain activities or positions
- Reduced sleep, mobility, or ability to work
Causes
Common sources include disc problems, facet joint arthritis, SI joint dysfunction, spinal stenosis, and nerve irritation, sometimes in combination.
How it's diagnosed
A physician-led evaluation works to identify the specific pain generator using your history, exam, imaging when needed, and, for some patients, diagnostic blocks that test one structure at a time.
How we treat it
An interventional plan is built around the confirmed source: image-guided injections, radiofrequency ablation for facet or SI pain, or neurostimulation for nerve pain that has not responded to other care, always alongside therapy and self-management.
When to see a physician
Seek prompt care for new weakness, unexplained weight loss with back pain, fever, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
Common questions
Why do I need a diagnosis if the pain is "just" back pain?
Chronic back pain usually has a specific source. Identifying it, disc, facet, SI joint, or nerve, lets treatment target the real problem instead of guessing.
What if injections have not worked for me before?
A precise diagnosis matters. When the right source is targeted, or when nerve pain is addressed with neurostimulation, results are often better than a non-specific approach.
This page is general information, not medical advice, and does not create a physician-patient relationship. Your physician will recommend what's right for you.
Living with chronic low back pain?
Talk with our physician-led pain team about a plan built around your diagnosis.
Request a consultation