Lumbar Spine (Lower Back & Spine)

The last main section of the spine, or the lumbar spine, bears most of the weight: holding up the thoracic spine, upper body, neck, and head. It is also the section that endures the most strain. Bending forward, backward, and side to side while also helping align the upper and lower body, your lower back has a lot to do. In contrast, just underneath the lumbar spine are the sacrum (or sacral spine) and the coccyx (or coccygeal spine). Unlike the rest of your spinal column, the bones of these spine sections are shaped differently with almost no movement between them. Altogether, the lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal spine region is a complex structure of five lumbar vertebrae, cushioning lumbar discs, five fused sacral vertebrae, the tailbone, paraspinal muscles, and other supporting tissues. The lower spine serves to protect the last portion of the spinal cord and peripheral nerves while weight bearing and helping you stand, walk, run, jump, and sit. With all that motion and pressure, the lower back and spine can be very vulnerable to stress and damage of all kinds, making lower back pain one of the most common complaints.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

At Nebraska Spine + Pain Center, our surgeons and nonoperative doctors are all specialty-trained with years of experience dedicated to treating your low-back and spine-related pain at the source. If you have any of the symptoms listed below, our experts are here to offer the best care plan focused on you:

Difficulty walking or standing normally or for extended periods
Low-back pain that is sudden and sharp or has worsened over time
Numbness or tingling in the buttocks and/or leg(s)
Pain in the lower back or tailbone when sitting for short or long periods
Pain in the lower back that radiates to the buttocks and/or leg(s)
Sideways curving in the lower back

SURGICAL PRESENTATIONS

Learn more about the lumbar spine procedures performed by the lower back and spine experts of Nebraska Spine + Pain Center through our surgical patient videos.

FINDING THE PROBLEM

Our entire team of advanced specialists provides top-tier care for a range of problems that affect the lower back and spine, from muscular problems and vertebral injuries to nerve-related pain.

When you visit us, your provider team will listen to your experiences and thoroughly examine affected areas, which may include advanced imaging and other diagnostics. With this information, your doctor will be able to diagnose your problem and help find the source of your pain or limitation. The most common diagnoses our doctors specialize in include:

Coccydynia
Compression fractures
Degenerative disc disease
Facet joint syndrome
Herniated lumbar discs, or slipped discs, and bulging discs
Lumbar spinal stenosis or lumbar myelopathy
Sacroiliitis or sacroiliac joint dysfunction
Sciatica (lumbar radiculopathy)
Scoliosis

FINDING THE SOLUTION

Once your diagnosis is carefully determined, your doctor will work closely with you and your care team to offer the evidence-based treatment options best-suited to alleviate your symptoms and keep you doing what you love. That is all we do every day at Nebraska Spine + Pain Center. Always beginning with conservative measures, such as medications, targeted exercises, and physical therapy, your doctor will find the right way to help you. Should interventional or surgical measures be needed, our doctors will use the least invasive methods possible, including utilizing image-guided and/or minimally invasive techniques and technologies. Whatever your needs, our specialists have the advanced expertise to perform the procedure that will restore function and give you relief.

back ASSESSMENTS

At Nebraska Spine + Pain Center, we are prepared to identify and treat the source of your lower back and spine pain with confidence.

Our medical evaluations begin with an open discussion about your symptoms and pain levels, followed by a look at the anatomy of your muscular and skeletal systems using detailed imaging.

Our treatment plans are based around the demands of your lifestyle. We make it a priority to educate our patients about the options available to them—whether those include surgical or nonsurgical methods.

Caring for Your Pain: Lumbar Spine

When you’re in pain, you deserve options that work for you. Your low-back pain has a solution, and our pain doctors are here to be part of your comprehensive care team at Nebraska Spine + Pain Center. Whether you need advanced diagnostics or a thorough care plan with nonsurgical treatments and recovery techniques, our physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists have you covered.

MEET YOUR NECK CARE TEAM

Our team of physicians and specialized clinical staff offers a full spectrum of conservative to complex back and pain treatments. Working together with you as part of your care provider team, your doctor will help you consider all your options and partner with you to develop the comprehensive treatment plan you need. At Nebraska Spine + Pain Center, we are driven to help you get back to living. To get started on getting better, meet with your lower back and spine care team in Omaha, Columbus, Fremont, Grand Island, or Norfolk. Call us today at (402) 496-0404 to schedule an appointment or use the button below.

OUR CERVICAL SPINE (NECK) EXPERTS

View Bio

Travis L. Bailey, M.D.

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

View Bio

Timothy A. Burd, M.D.

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

View Bio

J. Brian Gill, M.D., M.B.A.

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

View Bio

John D. Hain, M.D.

Neurosurgeon

View Bio

Scott Haughawout, D.O., CIME

Interventional Spine Care – Spine & Musculoskeletal Medicine

View Bio

Jeremiah P. Ladd, M.D.

Interventional Spine Care – Spine & Musculoskeletal Medicine

View Bio

Michael C. Longley, M.D.

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

View Bio

John W. McClellan III, M.D.

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

View Bio

Matthew P. West, M.D., CSCS

Interventional Spine Care – Spine & Musculoskeletal Medicine

View Bio

Chase C. Woodward, M.D., MPH

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

View Bio

Adam J. Schell, M.D.

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

Anatomy of the Spine

Coccydynia

Compression Fractures of the Spine

Degenerative Disc Disease

Facet Joint Syndrome

Herniated Disc

Lumbar Radiculopathy (Sciatica)

Osteoporosis

Post-Laminectomy Syndrome

Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylosis

Where Neck Pain Begins

ALIF: Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (with bone graft and pedicle screws)

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (Intervertebral Spacer)

Artificial Disc Replacement (in the Lumbar Spine)

Facet Joint Injections

Interlaminar Stabilization (coflex®)

Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring (IONM; IOM)

Kyphoplasty (Balloon Vertebroplasty)

Lumbar Disc Microsurgery

Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection

Lumbar Interbody Fusion (IBF; LIF)

Medial Branch Block

Radiofrequency Neurotomy of the Lumbar Facets

Sacroiliac Joint Fusion (iFuse Implant System®)

Sacroiliac Joint Steroid Injection

Selective Nerve Root Block (SNRB) in the Lumbar Spine

Spinal Fusion (Lumbar)

Sympathetic Block

TLIF: Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection

Conditions

Anatomy of the Spine

Coccydynia

Compression Fractures of the Spine

Degenerative Disc Disease

Facet Joint Syndrome

Herniated Disc

Lumbar Radiculopathy (Sciatica)

Osteoporosis

Post-Laminectomy Syndrome

Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylosis

Where Neck Pain Begins

Treatment

ALIF: Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (with bone graft and pedicle screws)

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (Intervertebral Spacer)

Artificial Disc Replacement (in the Lumbar Spine)

Facet Joint Injections

Interlaminar Stabilization (coflex®)

Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring (IONM; IOM)

Kyphoplasty (Balloon Vertebroplasty)

Lumbar Disc Microsurgery

Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection

Lumbar Interbody Fusion (IBF; LIF)

Medial Branch Block

Radiofrequency Neurotomy of the Lumbar Facets

Sacroiliac Joint Fusion (iFuse Implant System®)

Sacroiliac Joint Steroid Injection

Selective Nerve Root Block (SNRB) in the Lumbar Spine

Spinal Fusion (Lumbar)

Sympathetic Block

TLIF: Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

About the Practice

Is fellowship or board certification important when choosing my doctor?

Not every doctor has completed a fellowship or earned certification through a medical specialty board, but these additional credentials speak to skill and experience.

A fellowship is exclusive, additional specialty training beyond the requirements for specialization. Completion shows that the doctor has gained additional knowledge and skill in their field.

Board certification is acquired only after a doctor has been in practice and met or exceeded rigorous standards in patient care and applied knowledge.

Do I need a referral to see a spine or pain doctor?

A referral is not required to see one of our doctors at Nebraska Spine + Pain Center.

For insurance or workers’ compensation purposes, a referral may be necessary. Feel free to confirm with your provider, employer, or our office.

How do I make an appointment at Nebraska Spine + Pain Center

You or your care advocate can simply call our friendly team members at (402) 496-0404 to schedule an appointment directly. You can also use our online appointment request feature any time to request an appointment now, and we will follow up with you to schedule your appointment.

Do you offer second opinions?

Our doctors believe in precise and effective care and offer second opinions to ensure the absolute highest level of care. Please call us at (402) 496-0404 to schedule an appointment, or work with your care team or employer if any approvals are necessary first.

General FAQs

When Should I see a doctor for my pain?

If you’re in pain and it’s not improving with rest or over-the-counter medications, you should not have to tolerate that pain any longer. Seeing a doctor will help you find the source of that pain and start you on your journey to relief.

When should I consider surgery for my pain?

Once conservative measures, such as medications, exercises, physical therapy, or even interventional procedures do not or no longer adequately relieve your pain or limitations, you may want to consider surgery. Our surgeons at Nebraska Spine + Pain Center only recommend surgery when nonsurgical options have first been exhausted completely.

How can I prevent back, neck, or spine-related pain?

Pain along the neck and back affects everyone at some point in life, and as we age, our spine will start degenerating with wear and tear as well as the aging process. Focusing on your overall health and physical conditioning can go a long way in preventing pain of all sorts.

To help prevent spine- and nerve-related pain, you can follow these general best practices:

Avoid tobacco products.
Be sure to stretch and warm up before doing any rigorous activities.
Do not overexert yourself when exercising or when moving or lifting heavy objects.
Eat a healthy diet, stay hydrated, and minimize alcohol and inflammatory foods, such as refined sugars.
Keep moving throughout the day and maintain good posture.
Stay active and maintain a healthy weight.
Stay well-rested and minimize your stress.

How can physical therapy help my back or neck problem?

Physical therapy is a very common treatment as well as a rehabilitation method for the complete range of musculoskeletal needs. Our physical therapy team at Nebraska Spine + Pain Center will work with you and your doctor to develop a comprehensive, targeted program for you based on your needs and goals. Using techniques to increase your strength and range of motion, physical therapy can even relieve pain and improve function without surgery or other treatments in some cases.

Conditions & Treatments

What is a herniated disc?

When a spinal disc between your vertebrae, or spinal bones, is misaligned or slips out of place, this is called a herniation, slipped disc, or ruptured disc. Herniated discs occur for a number of reasons, from sudden injury to degeneration in the disc over time. This herniation often results in spinal deformity, pain, and other nerve symptoms, such as numbness and tingling.

What is spinal stenosis?

When the spaces between your spinal discs compress or shrink, it puts pressure on your spinal cord and the nerves going through your spine. This narrowing of the space around your spinal cord is called spinal stenosis. In some cases, surgery may be recommended to create additional space for your spinal cord or nerves. Spinal stenosis is most commonly found in the neck, or cervical spine, and low back, or lumbar spine. Symptoms include pain in the lower back or neck and muscle weakness, numbness and tingling in the arms, and even sciatica (shooting pains in the buttocks and legs).

What is radiculopathy?

Your vertebrae, or spinal bones, protect your spinal cord and have openings that protect the nerve roots that extend out into your body. When a nerve root along your spine is irritated or compressed, the condition is known as radiculopathy. Spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and herniated discs can all lead to radiculopathy. Your symptoms may vary depending on the location of the radiculopathy, but pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling in the limbs are all common.

What is a compression fracture

When a vertebra or spinal bone collapses, this is known as a compression fracture. The pain can be severe when the fracture occurs, and it can lead to additional problems with the spinal cord, discs, and nerves. Compression fractures are most commonly associated with osteoporosis, or weakened bone structures. Severe trauma as well as spinal cancer can also cause these fractures.

Can my pain be treated without spine surgery?

Many forms of back, neck, and spine-related pain can be reduced or resolved with nonsurgical methods. These include:

Bracing
Lifestyle and activity modifications
Nerve blocks (to stop pain signals) and other interventional procedures
Over-the-counter and prescription medications
Pain injections
Physical therapy

What are my options for spine surgery?

Your surgical options will depend on a number of factors, especially your diagnosis. Regardless of the source of your pain and the area affected, once you choose to pursue a treatment plan, your Nebraska Spine + Pain Center surgeon will proceed with the least invasive option for you to ensure you can recover as quickly and effectively as possible. This includes minimally invasive spine surgery. Our team of advanced specialty surgeons at Nebraska Spine + Pain Center has exceptional skill and expertise in the best, evidence-based techniques, technologies, and protocols in spine care. With our team, you will be in the most capable hands, placed in only the most optimal, state-of-the-art facilities, and led with skill and understanding every step of the way.