Our Services / Lower Back Pain

What is lower back pain?

Lower back pain is an uncomfortable feeling in the low part of your back and spine. It might be mild, moderate, severe, or crippling in some cases. Lower back pain could go away on its own over time, but other times, you need medical intervention to feel comfortable.

What does lower back pain feel like?

If you have lower back pain, you might notice the following symptoms:

• Sharp pain
• Pain with movement
• Dull aching
• Stiffness
• Muscle weakness
• Soreness
• Decreased range of motion
• Limited mobility
• Burning pain
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Shooting pain 
• Radiating discomfort

If lower back pain doesn’t go away with home remedies or if your pain is severe, see Dr. Kumar at Spine & Pain Specialists of the Carolinas for an evaluation.

What are the risk factors for lower back pain?

Common causes and risk factors for lower back pain include:

• Osteoporosis
• Arthritis
• Muscle strains
• Ligament strains
• Ruptured discs
• Bulging discs
• Pinched nerve
• Smoking
• Depression 
• Anxiety
• Cancer
• Improper lifting
• Age-related wear-and-tear
• Narrowed spinal canal
• Scoliosis 

Ways you can reduce the risk of developing lower back pain include using good posture and proper lifting techniques, getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, and not smoking.

How does my provider diagnose the cause of lower back pain?

Dr. Kumar diagnose the cause of lower back pain before beginning a treatment strategy. The team discusses your symptoms and medical history and evaluate your back during a physical exam. They assess your back's structure and range of motion and may recommend blood tests, nerve tests, bone scans, X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans.

How is lower back pain treated?

Common treatments available at Spine & Pain Specialists of the Carolinas for lower back pain include:

Home remedies
Common home remedies for back pain relief include using ice or heat packs, wearing a back brace, and resting your back while it heals.

Physical therapy
Physical therapy is a natural treatment for lower back pain that helps speed up healing and reduces the risk of future injuries.

Medications
Dr. Kumar might recommend medications to reduce inflammation, pain, or the underlying cause of lower back discomfort. 

Injections
Steroid and other injections can alleviate lower back pain, enhance healing, and dramatically improve your quality of life.

Nerve stimulation 
Nerve stimulation uses an implantable device to send electrical impulses to targeted nerves to reduce pain signals.

Radiofrequency ablation
Dr. Kumar use a fine needle and radiofrequency energy to damage certain nerves and reduce pain signals during radiofrequency ablation.

Superion™ Indirect Decompression System
Spine & Pain Specialists of the Carolinas uses the Superion™ Indirect Decompression System as a minimally invasive spinal decompression treatment. 

Surgery
If you have severe nerve or tissue damage that contributes to lower back pain, Dr. Kumar may suggest surgery to repair damaged tissues. 

Don’t live with lower back pain when numerous treatments available at Spine & Pain Specialists of the Carolinas can alleviate your discomfort. Call the office to schedule an appointment or book one online today.