Neck, Mid-back, and Lower Back
Understanding Back Pain — And Finding the Right Treatment for You
Back and neck pain can impact every part of your day — from simple movements to sleep and long-term quality of life. At iMsk & Spine Group, we understand how deeply spinal disorders affect your comfort, independence, and emotional well-being. That’s why our team takes the time to evaluate not just your symptoms, but the full story behind them. With advanced diagnostics, years of spine-focused expertise, and a warm, patient-first approach, we help you find the true cause of your pain and build a personalized plan for long-term relief.
Below are the spinal conditions we treat, organized into easy-to-understand categories. Each includes a simple explanation of what it is, the symptoms you may notice, and how we typically help you heal.
Spinal Disc Disorders
Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
What it is:
A condition where one or more spinal discs wear down over time. These discs normally act as shock absorbers between vertebrae. Aging, repeated strain, or injury can speed up this degeneration.
Treatment focuses on restoring mobility, strengthening supporting muscles, and relieving pain through physical therapy, lifestyle modification, anti-inflammatory strategies, and interventional pain procedures when needed.
Symptoms:
- Chronic neck or back pain
- Pain that worsens with bending, lifting, or sitting
- Stiffness and reduced flexibility
- Occasional radiating pain if nearby nerves are affected
Herniated Disc
What it is:
A disc herniation occurs when the soft inner disc material pushes through a tear in the outer layer, often pressing on spinal nerves. This can occur in the neck or lower back.
Most herniated discs improve without surgery. We use targeted physical therapy, interventional pain management, posture correction, nerve-relief strategies, and activity modification. Severe cases may require more advanced interventions.
Symptoms:
- Sharp or radiating pain into the arms or legs
- Tingling, numbness, or weakness
- Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, or coughing
- Limited range of motion
Spondylolisthesis
What it is:
A condition where a vertebra slips forward out of alignment, usually in the lower back. This can compress spinal nerves and alter normal spinal structure.
Treatment may include core-strengthening therapy, stabilization exercises, pain-relief procedures, bracing (in certain cases), and guidance on proper movement techniques. Severe cases may need additional therapeutic interventions.
Symptoms:
- Lower back pain or spasms
- Pain radiating into the legs
- Difficulty standing or walking for long periods
- Tight hamstrings or limited flexibility
Vertebrogenic Pain
What it is:
A specific type of chronic low back pain caused by damage to the vertebral endplates — the tissue between the disc and vertebral bone. These changes often appear on MRI as Modic changes. The basivertebral nerve (BVN) carries pain signals from these inflamed endplates to the brain.
We use targeted therapies including physical therapy, interventional pain procedures, posture correction, and — for some patients — emerging BVN-targeted treatments designed specifically for vertebrogenic pain.
Symptoms:
- Deep, aching pain in the mid or lower back
- Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, lifting, or physical activity
- Limited tolerance for prolonged positions
Spinal Nerve Disorders
Radiculopathy
What it is:
We identify the root cause (disc herniation, arthritis, stenosis, etc.) and create a plan that may include nerve-calming medications, physical therapy, spine-stabilizing exercises, ergonomic coaching, and interventional pain treatments.
We use a combination of gentle neck rehabilitation, soft-tissue therapy, strengthening to restore stability, ergonomic guidance, and targeted pain-relief treatments as needed. Our goal is to reduce inflammation, restore mobility, and prevent long-term dysfunction.
Symptoms:
- Sharp, shooting pain into the arms or legs
- Numbness, tingling, or “pins and needles”
- Muscle weakness
- Burning or electrical sensations
Spinal Stenosis
What it is:
A narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses nerves. It can occur in the neck (cervical spine) or lower back (lumbar spine).
Therapies may include strengthening and flexibility training, injections to reduce inflammation, posture correction, and individualized rehabilitation strategies.
Symptoms:
- Neck or back pain
- Numbness or weakness in arms or legs
- Difficulty walking or standing
- Pain relieved by sitting or bending forward
Post-Laminectomy Syndrome (Failed Back Surgery Syndrome)
What it is:
Persistent pain that continues or returns after previous spine surgery. This pain may come from scar tissue, nerve irritation, instability, or incomplete resolution of the original issue.
We focus on identifying the remaining pain generator and addressing it with interventional pain procedures, rehabilitation, nerve treatments, and careful long-term support.
Symptoms:
- Continued back or leg pain
- Stiffness
- Difficulty returning to normal activity
- Muscle weakness or sensitivity
Bone Disorders
Facet Joint Syndrome
What it is:
Inflammation or degeneration of the small joints connecting your vertebrae. These joints allow motion in the spine but can become painful due to arthritis, overuse, or injury.
Focused physical therapy, spinal stabilization exercises, facet joint injections, medial branch blocks, and lifestyle modifications help reduce inflammation and restore mobility.
Symptoms:
- Localized neck or back pain
- Pain triggered by twisting or bending
- Morning stiffness
- Pain relieved by sitting or leaning forward
Compression Fractures of the Spine
What it is:
Treatment varies from bracing and activity modification to interventional procedures (such as vertebral augmentation) and osteoporosis management for long-term bone health.
Focused physical therapy, spinal stabilization exercises, facet joint injections, medial branch blocks, and lifestyle modifications help reduce inflammation and restore mobility.
Symptoms:
- Sudden back pain
- Height loss
- Stooped posture
- Pain worsening with standing or walking
Osteoarthritis of the Spine
What it is:
The most common form of spinal arthritis, caused by gradual breakdown of cartilage between spinal joints.
How we treat it:
We use targeted strengthening, posture training, anti-inflammatory therapies, interventional procedures, and lifestyle strategies that support joint health.
Symptoms:
- Stiffness
- Aching back or neck pain
- Pain that worsens with movement
- Limited flexibility
Spondylosis
What it is:
General degeneration of the spine at any level, often linked to aging or repetitive stress.
How we treat it:
Our care plans include core strengthening, spinal stabilization, mobility therapy, and pain-relief techniques.
Symptoms:
- Chronic spine discomfort
- Stiffness
- Reduced mobility
- Occasional nerve irritation
Scoliosis
What it is:
An abnormal sideways curvature of the spine, most commonly developing in childhood or adolescence.
We provide monitoring, strengthening programs, pain-relief strategies, physical therapy, and referrals for additional interventions if needed.
Symptoms:
- Uneven shoulders or hips
- Visible spinal curvature
- Back pain
- Fatigue with activity
Kyphosis
What it is:
A forward rounding of the upper spine caused by vertebral deformity, degeneration, or poor posture.
Therapy may include posture correction, spinal extension exercises, bracing (in certain cases), and targeted pain-management techniques.
Symptoms:
- Rounded upper back
- Stiffness
- Back pain
- Fatigue
Head Disorders FAQ
My back hurts and sometimes I feel tingling or numbness — how do I know if it’s a spinal disorder?
Spine-related nerve irritation often causes pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness — sometimes radiating into the legs or arms (depending on whether the issue is lumbar or cervical). We start with a detailed consultation and may use imaging (like MRI or CT) or nerve studies to identify the exact cause and design a treatment plan.
Do most spinal issues require surgery?
Not at all. Many spine problems — such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or facet joint pain — respond very well to non-surgical care: physical therapy, interventional pain management, targeted injections, and lifestyle modifications. Surgery is considered only when conservative treatments don’t bring lasting relief.
If I’m older (over 50), is spine pain just “normal aging”?
While age-related degeneration is common — for example, disc wear or narrowing of spinal canals — pain shouldn’t be accepted as “just normal.” Even degenerative changes can often be managed successfully with personalized, non-surgical treatment, restoring mobility and reducing discomfort.
Can I continue working or exercising while receiving treatment?
In many cases — yes. We build treatment plans around your lifestyle. Physical therapy and rehabilitation can often be adjusted so you can stay active, while minimizing risk of further injury. We emphasize gradual, safe recovery rather than forcing quick fixes.
What if I’ve had back pain for months or years — can you still help?
Absolutely. Chronic back pain often improves when a thorough evaluation reveals the underlying cause and a customized care plan is started. We focus on long-term relief and sustained mobility — even for long-standing conditions.
