What back pain usually means
Most lower back pain comes from one of three places, and the treatment is different for each.
- Muscle and soft tissue. A strain, a spasm, or a tight band of muscle that refers pain across the lower back and into the buttock. This is the most common cause and the one that responds best to trigger point injections and a short course of medication.
- A disc or a joint. A herniated or bulging disc, arthritis in the facet joints, or a narrowed spinal canal (spinal stenosis). These cause deep, persistent pain that is worse with sitting, standing for long periods, or bending.
- A nerve. When a disc or bone presses on a nerve root, pain travels. Sciatica is pain that runs from the lower back through the buttock and down the back of the leg, sometimes with numbness, tingling or weakness in the foot.
An old injury, arthritis, a physically demanding job, or years of sitting can all be behind it. Sometimes there is no single cause. The pain is still real, and it still needs a plan.
How our pain physicians treat it
Your first visit is a proper consultation, not a quick look. The doctor takes a full pain history, examines your back and the nerves in your legs, reviews any MRI, X-ray or CT you already have, and orders imaging if it is needed. You leave with a written treatment plan and functional goals: sleeping through the night, walking the dog again, getting back to work.
Depending on what we find, the plan may include:
- Trigger point injections for muscle knots and spasms, usually two to four sessions.
- Medication management, starting with non-controlled options and the lowest effective dose, reviewed at every visit.
- Nerve blocks for pain that follows a specific nerve, with the amount of relief documented so we know whether to repeat or move on.
- StemWave shockwave therapy for soft tissue and muscular back pain in patients who want to avoid injections and medication. Available at our Davie clinic.
- Referral for epidural steroid injections when imaging and symptoms point to a disc or stenosis and conservative care has not been enough. We coordinate the referral and keep managing your care.
Does insurance cover it? Consultations, follow-up visits, trigger point injections and nerve blocks are covered by Medicare, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Cigna when medically necessary. Many Medicare Advantage plans require prior authorization for injections, and our front desk handles that for you. Read more about insurance and self-pay.
What to expect at your first visit
- Before you come in, we verify your insurance and ask you to bring photo ID, your medication list, and any imaging reports or prior records.
- At the consultation, the doctor examines you, reviews your imaging and explains what is causing the pain in plain language.
- You leave with a plan. Some patients have their first injection the same day. Others start with medication or imaging and return within a week or two.
- Follow-up is scheduled based on the plan, usually every four to twelve weeks, so we can measure what is working and adjust.
Sciatica: when the pain runs down your leg
Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It tells us a nerve root in the lower back is irritated, most often by a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. Most cases improve over several weeks with medication, activity guidance and injections. If pain, numbness or weakness is getting worse rather than better, or if you develop new bladder or bowel symptoms, you need to be seen urgently. Call the clinic or go to the emergency room.
How do I get an appointment for back pain?
Book online through Zocdoc or phone either clinic. The front desk confirms your coverage first, then offers you the earliest suitable appointment at Davie or Boynton Beach and tells you what to bring.
Do I need an MRI before my appointment?
No. Bring any imaging you already have. If the doctor needs an MRI or X-ray, it is ordered at the first visit and reviewed at the follow-up.
Will I be prescribed opioids?
Not as a first step. Florida law and good practice both call for the lowest effective treatment. We start with non-controlled medication and procedures. When a controlled medication is appropriate, it is prescribed with a written agreement, regular follow-up and monitoring, as required by the state.
Do you treat back pain from a work or car accident?
Yes. We accept workers' compensation and auto injury claims and handle the documentation. See our work and auto injury page.
Which clinic should I go to?
Davie serves Broward County and Boynton Beach serves Palm Beach County. Both treat back pain and sciatica. StemWave shockwave therapy is available at Davie only.