Back Pain
Aching, stiffness, spasms, or sharp pain in the back.
Read the back pain guide →Back Conditions
Back pain, disc and joint changes, sciatica, and SI joint pain.
Start with what has changed.
Back pain may be an ache, stiffness, or muscle spasm. It can stay in the back or travel into the buttocks or legs. Your history and examination help us understand the cause, whether or not you have leg symptoms.
Bring your medical history, previous treatment details, and any available imaging. We connect those findings with your examination and what you want to get back to.
Conditions we evaluate
Arthritis of the Neck and Spine
Joint changes that can contribute to spinal pain and stiffness.
Read the arthritis of the neck and spine guide →Degenerative Disc Disease
Changes in spinal discs that may be associated with pain or nerve symptoms.
Read the degenerative disc disease guide →Degenerative Joint Disease
Wear-related changes in the joints of the spine, also called osteoarthritis.
Read the degenerative joint disease guide →Herniated Discs
Disc material that pushes through its outer layer and may irritate a nearby nerve.
Read the herniated discs guide →Pinched Nerves
Pressure on a nerve that may cause pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness.
Read the pinched nerves guide →Radiculopathy
Symptoms related to irritation or compression of a spinal nerve root.
Read the radiculopathy guide →Sciatica
Nerve pain that travels from the lower back or buttock into a leg.
Read the sciatica guide →Spinal Stenosis
Narrowing of spaces around the spinal nerves or spinal cord.
Read the spinal stenosis guide →Spondylosis
A term for degenerative changes in the spine, including changes in discs and joints.
Read the spondylosis guide →Spondylolisthesis
When one vertebra slips relative to the bone below it. Symptoms and spinal stability guide evaluation.
Read the spondylolisthesis guide →Back Strains / Spasms
Muscle or tendon strain and involuntary muscle tightening can contribute to back pain.
Read the back strains / spasms guide →Back Injuries
Injuries affecting structures in the back. Evaluation considers how the injury happened and its effect on movement and nerve function.
Read the back injuries guide →Back Sprains
Stretching or tearing of ligaments in the back can cause pain and stiffness.
Read the back sprains guide →SI Joint Pain
Pain associated with the sacroiliac joint, where the base of the spine meets the pelvis.
Read the si joint pain guide →A plan based on your evaluation.
Many spine concerns can be approached without an operation. We discuss nonsurgical care and, when appropriate, surgical options. The procedures below address different problems; they are not all appropriate for every condition listed here.
- Minimally Invasive Lumbar Microdiscectomy
- Minimally Invasive TLIF
- Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion
- Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
- Lumbar Fusion
- Lumbar Decompression
- Lumbar Disc Replacement
- Scoliosis Correction
- Thoracic Decompression or Fusion
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Kyphoplasty
- Minimally Invasive SI Joint Fusion
Support through each step.
Dr. Kade Huntsman, Dr. Jordan Kump, and our physician assistants, Chase Naylor and Mark Orlandi, work together on your care. A physician assistant may help with your initial evaluation and ongoing visits, as well as preparation and recovery if surgery is part of your plan.
Questions to bring to your visit
Do I need to know my diagnosis first?
No. Tell us where you feel discomfort, when it began, and what makes it better or worse. An evaluation helps identify the next steps.
Does an appointment mean I need surgery?
No. A consultation is an opportunity to understand the findings, ask questions, and discuss your options.
Further reading
Explore your options
Procedures, explained simply.
Explore each category for a short explanation and available videos. Your team will explain which, if any, fit your diagnosis.
Decompression / laminectomy
Decompression creates more room for spinal nerves. A laminectomy removes part of the bone at the back of a vertebra to relieve pressure.
Microdiscectomy
Microdiscectomy removes the portion of a herniated disc pressing on a spinal nerve. The animation below explains disc removal.
Artificial disc replacement
Also called lumbar arthroplasty, this motion-preserving procedure replaces a damaged lower-back disc with an artificial disc designed to maintain movement at that level.
Spinal fusion
Fusion joins two or more vertebrae to limit movement between them. The approach depends on your anatomy, diagnosis, and treatment plan.
- PLIF / TLIF: approaches from the back of the spine.
- ALIF: an approach from the front of the body.
- Lateral fusion: an approach from the side of the body.
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS)
An implanted device delivers electrical pulses to help manage certain types of persistent pain. A temporary trial helps assess whether stimulation is helpful before a permanent implant is considered.
Kyphoplasty
For selected painful vertebral compression fractures, a small balloon creates space inside the fractured bone. After the balloon is removed, bone cement is placed to help stabilize the vertebra.
Post-op with Chase
Find the video for your procedure. Follow the personalized instructions from your care team.
Let’s understand what you’re experiencing.
Bring your questions and talk through your next steps with our team.