Relief for Low Back Pain

Most adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. Low back pain affects your lumbar spine, which supports much of your upper body weight. Although lower back pain ranges in severity, it often greatly interferes with your daily living. Most episodes of back pain get better on their own and are not a sign of a more serious medical problem. 

At Dignity Health, our orthopedic specialists offer unparalleled, personal orthopedic care at these four convenient locations:

To find relief for low back pain in the Bay Area, use our convenient online Find a Doctor tool or call (866) 466-1401 for a doctor referral.

What Causes Lower Back Pain?

Low back pain has many potential causes and can come on quickly or develop slowly over time. Over-activity is one of the most common causes of low back pain, resulting in sore, achy muscles. This kind of pain usually gets better within a few days. 

Other causes of low back pain involve the spine, including: 

  • Degenerated, ruptured, or herniated discs
  • Scoliosis, a curvature of the spine
  • Spinal arthritis
  • Spinal stenosis, or narrowing, of the spinal canal

Low Back Pain Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of low back pain can start suddenly or worsen slowly over time. Low back pain varies and can be sharp, stabbing, dull, achy, or cramping. Most people find that reclining or lying down helps to relieve their low back pain.

Low Back Pain Treatment at Dignity Health

Our goals of treatment for low back pain are relieving your pain and preventing future problems. Your Dignity Health doctor will assess your risk factors for back and spine problems and take the cause of your current low back pain into account before developing your personalized treatment plan.

Most cases of lower back pain get better on their own within a few weeks. You can ease your recovery with:

  • Hot and cold therapy
  • Massage
  • Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines
  • Stretching

If your low back pain is persistent or severe, your doctor may prescribe physical therapy, stronger pain relievers, or a back brace. If your pain hasn’t improved with these treatment options after six to 12 months, back surgery is a final option. Call (866) 466-1401 for more information.

Dignity Health provides a variety of treatment options for low back pain in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Redwood City.