Low Back Pain Overview
When you experience low back pain, it can significantly impact your ability to perform daily activities and diminish your overall quality of life. Our team of low back pain doctor begins the evaluation process with a thorough assessment of your medical history, followed by a physical examination and may utilize imaging studies such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to accurately diagnose the underlying cause of your low back pain.
Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people see a doctor — and for good reason, since it can make sitting, standing, and sleeping miserable. As your local low back pain specialists, we find the cause and match the treatment to it. We serve patients across Long Island and northern New Jersey, with offices in Plainview, New Hyde Park, and Ronkonkoma, NY, and Clifton, Montville, and Plainfield, NJ.
The short version
- About 80% of adults experience low back pain at some point — it’s extremely common, and usually treatable.
- Most cases improve with conservative care within a few weeks.
- When it lingers, targeted injections and minimally invasive procedures can address the specific source.
- Pain that radiates down the leg is often a nerve problem and may call for a different treatment.
What causes low back pain
The lower back carries much of your body’s weight and load, which is why it’s such a common site of pain. Causes range from a simple muscle or ligament strain to structural issues like a herniated disc, facet joint arthritis, or spinal stenosis. Sometimes the pain stays local to the back; other times it travels, which usually points to an irritated nerve.
Our team begins with a thorough history and physical exam, and may use imaging such as X-ray, MRI, or CT to pinpoint the cause before recommending treatment.
How we treat low back pain
We start conservative and escalate only as needed:
- Conservative therapies — rest, ice or heat, anti-inflammatory medication, and activity changes to calm the initial pain.
- Physical therapy — targeted exercises to strengthen the core, improve flexibility, and correct posture, which is often the key to lasting relief.
- Targeted injections — an epidural steroid injection for nerve-related pain, or a facet joint injection when arthritis is the source.
- Radiofrequency ablation — when facet joints are confirmed as the source, radiofrequency ablation can provide months of relief.
- Minimally invasive procedures — the MILD procedure for stenosis, or regenerative disc injections for certain disc-related pain.
Straight talk: No single treatment is right for everyone, and injections work best as part of a plan that includes staying active and building strength. We’ll be honest about what’s likely to help you and what isn’t.
Are you a candidate for treatment?
It’s worth being evaluated when:
- Your low back pain has lasted more than a week or two, or keeps coming back
- It interferes with work, sleep, or daily activities
- Home care and over-the-counter medication haven’t been enough
- You want a clear diagnosis rather than guessing
Seek urgent care if: your low back pain comes with loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, rapidly worsening leg weakness, fever, or follows a serious injury. These are warning signs that need immediate attention.
Why patients across Long Island and North Jersey choose Empire
We’re a local pain and spine practice, so your evaluation, treatment, and follow-up all happen close to home with the same team.
- New York: Plainview, New Hyde Park, and Ronkonkoma — across Nassau and Suffolk
- New Jersey: Clifton, Montville, and Plainfield — serving Passaic, Morris, and Union County communities
- Interventional pain management and spine care under one roof
- A step-by-step approach that starts with the least invasive option
Insurance
Coverage varies by plan and by location, and we accept many major insurance plans across our New York and New Jersey offices. The simplest way to know exactly what your plan covers is to call — our team will verify your benefits before your visit, so there are no surprises. Whether you’re on Long Island or in North Jersey, reach out and we’ll walk you through your options.
Frequently asked questions
How long does low back pain usually last?
Most low back pain improves within a few weeks with conservative care. If yours lasts longer than that, keeps returning, or radiates down a leg, it’s worth an evaluation to find the cause.
What’s the fastest way to relieve it?
Staying gently active, alternating ice and heat, and using over-the-counter anti-inflammatories helps most simple strains. Avoid prolonged bed rest, which can slow recovery.
Do I need an MRI?
Not always. Many cases are diagnosed on history and exam alone. Imaging like MRI is used when the picture is unclear or when we’re considering a specific procedure.
What if the pain goes down my leg?
Pain that travels down the leg often means an irritated nerve, such as sciatica. That’s usually treated differently from pain that stays in the back — frequently with an epidural steroid injection — so it’s worth getting evaluated.
Can low back pain be treated without surgery?
Yes, in the large majority of cases. Conservative care and targeted injections resolve most low back pain. Surgery is reserved for specific problems that don’t respond to those steps.
When is low back pain an emergency?
Loss of bladder or bowel control, groin numbness, rapidly worsening leg weakness, or fever with back pain all warrant urgent care. Otherwise, persistent or worsening pain warrants a scheduled evaluation.
Low back pain slowing you down?
Our pain and spine specialists see patients across Long Island, NY and northern New Jersey. We’ll pinpoint the cause and start you on the least invasive treatment that works.
New York: 516-229-1443 | New Jersey: 732-630-7246
Medicare, Workers Comp,
No Fault & Others.
We accept most major insurance plans across our New York and New Jersey offices. Select your state to see accepted plans.
Accepted at our New York Locations
Workers' Compensation
No-Fault (NY & NJ)
Lien Cases
Medicare
Empire BCBS
BCBS / Anthem
Cigna
Aetna
Empire NYSHIP
Oxford (PPO)
United Health Care
GHI / Emblem Health
Humana (PPO)
Magnacare (PPO)
Northwell Direct
1199 SEIU
Self Pay
Accepted at our New Jersey Locations
No-Fault (NJ)
Lien Cases
Horizon BCBS
Empire NYSHIP
BCBS / Anthem (PPO)
Cigna
Aetna (PPO)
GHI / Emblem (PPO)
Port Authority UHC
Verizon Plan
Carpenter & Trade Unions
Self Pay
Medicare and Medicaid are not accepted at our New Jersey locations. Not sure about your plan? Call us and we'll verify before your visit.
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Meet Our Pain Management & Orthopedic Specialists
Dr. Monica Misak
Interventional Pain Specialist
Dr. James Yu, D.O.
Board Certified Anesthesiologist
Board Certified Interventional
Pain Management Physician
Dylan J. O'Rourke
Certified Physician Assistant
Pain Conditions Affecting Daily Life
Improve your quality of life with our comprehensive approach to pain management
We are dedicated to finding individualized treatment options tailored to fit your needs. Our team is dedicated to helping you lead a productive and active life, free from pain and disruption.
We use an integrative approach to conduct a comprehensive evaluation and assess your condition.
Physical examination and review of your medical history. We assess the cause of your pain, determine its severity and duration, and help you develop an individualized treatment plan.
We provide a range of treatments and procedures to address your chronic pain. These include nerve blocks, injections, physical therapy, implantable therapies and more. We also offer health education to help you better manage your condition.