Lower Back Pain

Understanding Lower Back Pain

It shows up when you least expect it. Bending to pick something up. Standing up from a chair. Sitting through a long car ride. Lower back pain rarely stays in one spot, and it’s easy to write off until it doesn’t go away on its own. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained specialists treat everything from a pulled muscle to a herniated disc.

Common Lower Back Problems We Treat

• Herniated or bulging disc. The cushioning between spinal bones shifts or ruptures, sometimes pressing on a nerve.

• Sciatica. Pain, numbness, or tingling that travels from the lower back down through the hip and leg.

• Spinal stenosis. Narrowing of the space around the spinal cord or nerves in the lower spine, common with age.

• Degenerative disc disease. The discs in your lower back wear down over time.

• Spondylolisthesis. A vertebra slips out of place, putting pressure on the discs and nerves below it.

• Muscle strain. Overuse or a sudden movement that strains the muscles supporting your lower back.

You don’t need to know which one this is before you come in. That’s what the evaluation is for.

Diagnosis and what treatment can look like

We check your range of motion, strength, and whether pain, numbness, or tingling travels into your legs. If needed, we order imaging, an X-ray or MRI, the same visit. From there, treatment can include physical therapy, activity modification, a targeted or epidural injection, a minimally invasive procedure, or, when conservative care hasn’t worked and the source is clear, spine surgery. We start with the least invasive option that fits your back.

Recovery

Many patients feel real relief within weeks of starting therapy or an injection. Surgery takes longer, and physical therapy plays a big part in getting your strength back. Most patients return to walking, gardening, and sitting through a full day without lower back pain slowing them down.

Why Advanced Orthopedic Center

We have four Southwest Florida offices: Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Venice, and North Port. Over 40 years of caring for local families. No referral needed; you can schedule directly with a board-certified specialist. Imaging and physical therapy are in-house, so you’re not bounced between offices for basic steps. We treat surgery as a last resort, not a first recommendation.