Back pain limiting your day?
Understand the next step.
Lower back pain can arise from muscles, ligaments, joints, discs or nerves. Review your symptoms and previous care to understand which options fit your situation.
Request a Back Evaluation (Form)Telehealth or in person. Your request does not confirm an appointment.
A careful review before a surgical decision.
An evaluation begins with your history and examination, with imaging when indicated. The goal is to understand what is contributing to your pain before discussing nonsurgical care or surgery when appropriate.
Bring your imaging
Bring available lumbar imaging, reports and details of your symptoms and previous treatment.
Discuss the alternatives
Review previous care, nonsurgical options, expected benefits, limitations and risks.
Choose the appropriate next step
Surgery is discussed when symptoms, examination and imaging support it. No outcome is guaranteed.
Experience & careful judgment
Meet Dr. Cornacchia.
Louis G. Cornacchia III, M.D., FAANS, FACS
A board-certified neurosurgeon with 30 years of spinal cord stimulation experience.
More about Dr. Cornacchia’s experience and SCS device decisions
Spinal cord stimulation experience
Experienced neurosurgical judgment before device decisions.
A spinal cord stimulator is a medical device decision, but it is also a diagnosis decision. Apteum’s evaluation is designed to clarify whether SCS is reasonable, whether another spine problem needs attention, and what goals should define success for you.
He works with a community of experienced pain-management doctors and with Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and other manufacturers.
Manufacturer relationships do not imply endorsement of a specific device for every patient. Brand and system selection should be based on clinical need, anatomy, MRI considerations, programming goals, prior device history, and shared decision-making.
Additional systems as clinically appropriateYour evaluation focuses on listening, reviewing your imaging and explaining your options clearly. Surgery is considered when it is appropriate for your case.
Your evaluation focuses on your diagnosis, prior care and goals. Discuss the expected benefits, limitations, risks and alternatives before choosing your next step. An evaluation is not a commitment to surgery or an implant.
Read Dr. Cornacchia’s training and experience →How spinal cord stimulation works
Watch this explanation created by Dr. Cornacchia. Spinal cord stimulation is one option for selected patients after evaluation; it is not appropriate for every cause of pain and does not replace the discussion of the treatment on this page.
Full lower back pain information, treatment and FAQs
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain affects millions of people worldwide. At Apteum Spine, we utilize cutting-edge diagnostic tools and advanced treatment options, including robotic-assisted surgery, to help you find lasting relief.
Your request does not confirm an appointment.
Understand your condition. Know your options.
The first step is understanding what is causing your symptoms. We review your history, imaging, and previous treatment so you can understand which options deserve consideration.
- Listen
Your history, symptoms, and goals.
- Review
Your imaging and previous treatment.
- Explain
Your options and the next steps.
Information for your evaluation
Understanding Lower Back Pain
The lower back (lumbar region) supports the weight of the upper body and is subject to significant mechanical stress. Lower back pain can originate from muscles, ligaments, joints, discs, or nerves in the lumbar spine. It is one of the most common reasons for missed work and visits to the doctor, and it is a leading cause of disability worldwide.
Causes of Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain can result from muscle or ligament strains, bulging or ruptured discs, arthritis, skeletal irregularities, or osteoporosis. Risk factors include age, lack of exercise, excess weight, improper lifting, psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety, and smoking. Some conditions like kidney stones or infections can also cause lower back pain.
When to Seek Professional Help
Most lower back pain improves within a few weeks with self-care. However, you should see a doctor if the pain persists for more than a few weeks, is severe and doesn’t improve with rest, spreads down one or both legs (especially below the knee), causes weakness or numbness, or is accompanied by unexplained weight loss, fever, or bladder/bowel problems.
Common Symptoms
- Dull, aching pain in the lower back
- Shooting or stabbing pain
- Pain that radiates down the legs
- Difficulty standing up straight or walking
- Muscle spasms and stiffness
Treatment Options
- Physical therapy and exercise programs
- Medication management
- Lumbar epidural steroid injections
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Robotic lumbar fusion (TLIF)
Understanding Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people see a doctor — and one of the most likely to be over-treated. The key is an accurate diagnosis. At Apteum Spine, we determine what is actually driving your pain and recommend the right treatment, surgical or not, with surgery reserved for when it is truly necessary.
Symptoms That Warrant Evaluation
• Pain lasting more than a few weeks or steadily worsening
• Pain radiating into the leg (sciatica)
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg
• Pain following a fall or accident
• Emergency: loss of bladder or bowel control, or sudden severe leg weakness
Treatment Options
• Physical therapy, activity modification, and core strengthening
• Anti-inflammatory medication and injections
• Minimally invasive surgery when conservative care fails and there is a clear, correctable cause
Diagnosis
A thorough history and exam, with imaging (X-ray, MRI, or CT) when indicated, to identify the source before treatment.
Common Causes
Muscle or ligament strain, herniated disc, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, arthritis, or injury from an accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I rest or stay active?
Gentle activity usually beats prolonged bed rest for most low back pain.
When should I see a spine specialist?
If pain persists beyond a few weeks, radiates, or comes with weakness or numbness.
Medically reviewed by Louis G. Cornacchia III, M.D., FAANS, FACS — board-certified neurosurgeon. Last updated: June 2026. This page is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. For urgent symptoms, call (609) 831-0998 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Take your next step with clarity.
Request an evaluation of your condition and options. Our team will contact you to discuss your request and arrange the next step.
Your request does not confirm an appointment.
Review your lower back pain treatment options.
Request an evaluation to review your symptoms, imaging, goals and prior treatment history.
The team will contact you to discuss your request. No outcome is guaranteed.
Persistent nerve pain: another option to discuss
For selected patients after a careful evaluation, spinal cord stimulation may be an option. Explore spinal cord stimulation evaluation at Apteum Spine.