Common spine & neck concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries: acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve
Lower Back Pain
Pain from back muscles, discs, or joints
Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons for an orthopedic visit; most cases improve with conservative care, but persistent pain warrants evaluation to identify a specific cause. Same-day or next-week evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
See a specialist this week
Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
Book a visitOr call (323) 264-7600
What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- Lower back pain is one of many spine & neck conditions our specialists evaluate every day.
- Most patients improve with conservative care: image-guided injections, bracing, and PT with your in-network provider.
- When a procedure is the right call, we explain every option, recovery timeline, and return-to-activity milestone.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles-area locations.
What is lower back pain?
Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons for an orthopedic visit; most cases improve with conservative care, but persistent pain warrants evaluation to identify a specific cause. Symptoms can develop gradually or after a specific injury, so early evaluation matters when function starts to decline.
Most patients with lower back pain improve with conservative care: targeted physical therapy, image-guided injections, bracing when relevant, and activity modification. When conservative care isn't enough or imaging shows structural injury that won't heal on its own, our specialists offer the next-step procedures discussed below.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose lower back pain, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
Watch: Where Lower Back Pain Begins
Lower back pain is a common problem that can severely impact your quality of life. It can limit your ability to be active. It can cause you to miss work. Many different causes may lead to pain in your lower back.
Inside the spine & neck.
The spine has 33 vertebrae stacked in five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal. Between most vertebrae sits a disc that cushions and allows motion. The spinal cord and nerve roots run through the canal, so when a disc bulges, a joint enlarges, or a vertebra slips, pain can radiate into the arms or legs.
Symptoms and causes of lower back pain
Common symptoms
- Dull ache or sharp pain in the lower back
- Stiffness after sitting or sleeping
- Pain that radiates into the buttock or thigh
- Muscle spasm or "catching"
Common causes
- Muscle strain from lifting or twisting
- Disc injury or degeneration
- Spinal arthritis
- Postural and ergonomic factors
How we diagnose lower back pain
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for lower back pain typically looks like:
- Detailed history: when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried
- Focused exam of the lower back: range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
- On-site imaging at most offices: X-ray for bone, ultrasound or MRI when soft-tissue detail is needed
- A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
How we treat lower back pain at LAOSS
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Non-surgical options designed to relieve pain, restore movement, and avoid the OR when possible.
- Physical therapy and core stabilization
- Anti-inflammatory medication and activity modification
- Image-guided epidural steroid injections for nerve-related leg pain
- Facet joint or medial branch blocks
- Radiofrequency ablation for chronic facet pain
- Chiropractic care
Surgical care
When neededSurgical options when needed
Minimally invasive and reconstructive procedures performed by board-certified orthopedic surgeons.
- Microdiscectomy for a herniated disc
- Laminectomy for spinal stenosis
- Lumbar spinal fusion (ALIF, TLIF) for instability or a slipped vertebra
- Kyphoplasty for a painful compression fracture
- Spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain that persists after other treatment
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Spine & neck care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our spine & neck specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a spine & neck specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a spine & neck specialist.
- Pain or stiffness in the lower back that lasts more than a few days
- Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
- Symptoms that limit walking, lifting, sleep, or work
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantGo to the emergency room or call 911 for loss of bowel or bladder control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, or weakness in the arms or legs that is getting worse quickly. Seek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, new numbness, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Your spine & neck recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
- Days 0 to 14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the lower back, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
- Activity modification with clear do/don't guidance
- Ice or heat and pain control as needed
- Gentle range-of-motion within safe limits
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
- Weeks 2 to 8
Rehabilitation
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the lower back.
- Progressive strengthening and neuromuscular work
- Manual therapy and soft-tissue treatment
- Sport- or job-specific movement re-training
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
- Months 2+
Long-term care
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there, and catching any recurrence early.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Spine and neck considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the lower back. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Meet our spine & neck doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our spine & neck specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From image-guided injections and minimally invasive spine procedures to spine surgery when it is needed, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Meet your spine & neck specialists.
Compare up to 34 providers
Accepting new patients
Jose Antonio Acosta, MD
Pain Management & Rehabilitation
Speaks English and Spanish
Habla español
- Glendale
- Encino
- Valencia
- +1 more
Care for lower back pain starts here
Don't let lower back pain be something you just power through. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Whether you need physical therapy, injections, or surgery, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see a spine & neck specialist in Los Angeles.
From our Google reviews
Read all 9,626 reviews on GoogleWhat patients say
“Dr. Jason kaushik is awesome. Really works with you to try non surgical, non drug solutions to my back pain. I love him.”
Laurie U.Google reviewEast Los AngelesJul 2024
“Dr Yasmeh is awesome! He is incredibly knowledgeable, thorough, patient, and has great bed side manner. He took his time to explain all options and answer all my questions, all without being an alarmist in any way. I highly recommend him to anyone who is having issues with neck or back pain!”
Robby W.Google reviewTarzanaNov 2024
“Great facility! Dr Jonathan made me feel like my concerns mattered. He listened to what I had to say about what I was feeling about my back pain. I didn't feel rushed or disregarded. The Xray tech was also amazing! Felt confident that these folks had my best interest at hand”
Ora J.Google reviewWilshireMay 2025
Selected 5-star reviews from Google, shown as written. Individual results vary.
Common lower back pain questions
- We start with a focused orthopedic exam and detailed history. X-rays are usually done in-office; MRI or ultrasound is ordered when soft-tissue detail is needed. Most patients leave the first visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan.
Don't wait on pain.
Book a visit with a spine & neck specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
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21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
On-site X-raySame visit
Most insurers acceptedIn-network