Lower Back Pain Treatment In Tampa

Common Causes of Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain can originate from various sources, and understanding the exact cause is crucial for achieving lasting relief. Different conditions can affect the spine, nerves, or surrounding muscles, and each one requires a different approach to treatment.

What’s Behind Your Pain

There’s no one-size-fits-all explanation for back pain. Several underlying conditions can lead to similar symptoms, which is why obtaining the correct diagnosis is crucial. The cause of pain often determines the most effective path forward.

Herniated Discs Can Trigger Nerve Pain

Between each vertebra in your spine are soft, gel-like discs that cushion your bones and absorb impact. When one of these discs bulges or ruptures, it can press on nearby nerves and cause sharp, radiating pain, especially down one leg. This condition, often called sciatica, may also cause numbness, tingling, or weakness and is usually triggered by movement, coughing, or sitting for long periods.

Degenerative Disc Disease Develops with Age

As we get older, the discs in the spine naturally begin to wear down. This can lead to less cushioning between the vertebrae and contribute to ongoing stiffness, instability, or dull, chronic discomfort. While age-related disc changes are common, they can still become painful over time.

Spinal Stenosis Creates Pressure in the Spine

Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces in the spine gradually narrow, often due to bone overgrowth or thickened tissue. This can place pressure on the spinal cord or nearby nerves, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness. Many people with spinal stenosis feel worse when standing or walking but notice some relief when sitting or leaning forward.

Other Causes Include Muscle Strains and Joint Problems

Not all lower back pain originates in the spine. Strained muscles, inflamed joints, or movement-related issues can also lead to significant discomfort. These problems may develop after overuse, injury, or even poor posture.

Identifying the specific cause of lower back pain is the first and most important step. Once the source is clear, it becomes much easier to find the right treatment and start feeling better.

How We Diagnose the Source of Your Lower Back Pain

Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment. Because lower back pain can come from many different causes, we start with a step-by-step evaluation designed to uncover the true source of what you’re feeling, not just the symptoms.

It Starts with Listening to Your Story

Your experience matters. Diagnosis begins with a conversation about when your pain started, where it occurs, what makes it better or worse, and how it impacts your daily life. Every case is different, and understanding your personal history helps guide everything that follows.

A Hands-On Exam Helps Us Learn More

A physical exam gives your provider more insight into how your body is functioning. We check posture, reflexes, range of motion, and pain response, all in a way that’s gentle and non-invasive. These small details can provide big clues about the underlying problem.

Imaging Gives a Clearer View of What’s Going On

Depending on your symptoms, imaging tools like X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans may be used to examine the spine more closely. These images help confirm or rule out specific conditions and give us a deeper look at what might be happening beneath the surface.

We Combine Findings to Build a Personalized Plan

There’s no single test that tells the whole story. That’s why we look at everything together, your symptoms, physical exam, and imaging results, to reach the most accurate diagnosis possible. This approach ensures your treatment plan is not only effective, but also designed just for you.

Diagnosis isn’t just about naming the problem; it’s about setting the stage for real relief. Once we understand what’s causing your pain, we can move forward with treatment that’s built around your body, your goals, and your life.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options For Lower Back Pain

Surgery isn’t the only answer, and for many patients, it’s not necessary at all. Our back pain specialists in Tampa focus on non-surgical solutions that relieve discomfort while helping you return to normal activity. We focus on minimally invasive procedures and non-opioid care that puts your long-term well-being first.

Our Focus: Relief Without Surgery or Long-Term Medications

Many people find meaningful relief without ever stepping into an operating room. Instead of relying on long-term medications, we offer targeted, image-guided procedures designed to reduce inflammation, calm irritated nerves, and improve mobility, all with minimal recovery time.

Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections (LESIs) for Inflammation Relief

LESIs deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly to the area around irritated spinal nerves. This helps reduce swelling and ease pain in the lower back and legs, especially for conditions like herniated discs or spinal stenosis.

Facet Joint Ablation to Disrupt Chronic Pain Signals

When small nerves in the spine’s facet joints send constant pain signals, ablation offers longer-lasting relief. This minimally invasive procedure uses heat to block those signals, reducing pain without affecting movement.

Nerve Blocks to Interrupt Pain at the Source

Nerve blocks deliver local anesthetic directly to painful nerve areas, providing quick relief while also helping confirm where your pain is coming from. They’re often used as both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool.

Physical Therapy and Lifestyle Coaching for Long-Term Support

Movement and body mechanics play a critical role in back health. Physical therapy, posture guidance, and daily activity strategies can help prevent pain from returning. Our team supports your progress with education and coaching, not just procedures.

Non-surgical treatment doesn’t mean settling for less; it means starting with what works for most people, with fewer risks and faster recovery. If you’re looking for a safe, targeted way to manage lower back pain, this may be the right path forward.

When Surgery Might Be the Right Next Step

Most people with lower back pain never need surgery, and at Florida Spine & Pain Specialists, we explore every non-surgical option first. Our goal is always to relieve pain using the least invasive, most effective treatments available.

Surgery Isn’t the First Option and It’s Rarely the Only One

In many cases, procedures like epidural injections, nerve blocks, or facet ablation combined with physical therapy provide lasting relief. But for a small number of patients, symptoms may persist or worsen over time. When this happens, it may be time to consider a surgical consultation.

When Non-Surgical Treatments Stop Providing Relief

That decision is never made lightly. We rely on clear diagnostic imaging, your treatment history, and how your pain is affecting daily life to guide the next steps. If surgery becomes appropriate, we’ll walk you through the process without pressure or rushed timelines.

We Help You Make the Right Call, Not a Rushed One

FLSPS does not perform spine surgery, but we work closely with trusted surgical specialists. If we reach that point together, your care team will stay involved, help you weigh all available options, and support you through the entire transition.

Surgery may be part of the solution, but it’s never the first or only one. With the right guidance, you can move forward knowing every effort has been made to find the most effective and least invasive path to relief.

Living With and Managing Chronic Lower Back Pain

Living with chronic back pain can take a toll physically, emotionally, and mentally. But the right daily habits can make a real difference over time. Small, consistent changes to posture, movement, and self-care can help reduce flare-ups and improve your overall quality of life.

Staying active within your limits is often better than prolonged rest. Gentle stretching, walking, and movement routines that keep your muscles engaged can help support spinal health. It’s also important to avoid poor posture, especially during work or screen time. Use supportive chairs, adjust your setup, and take breaks to move regularly.

At home, applying heat or ice, using ergonomic tools, and following any provider-recommended exercises can all contribute to better pain control. And perhaps most importantly, don’t try to “tough it out.” Seeking consistent care, even when the pain feels manageable, often leads to better long-term outcomes.

You don’t have to live with constant discomfort. With the right approach and support, meaningful relief is possible, and you deserve to feel better.

FAQs About Lower Back Pain Treatment

Have questions about back pain, treatment options, or what to expect? You’re not alone. Here are answers to some of the most common questions patients ask when navigating lower back pain and recovery.

When Should I See a Doctor for Lower Back Pain?

Answer: If your pain lasts more than a few weeks, keeps coming back, or interferes with daily life, it’s time to seek help. Sudden pain after an injury, or pain with numbness, weakness, or bowel/bladder issues, should be evaluated right away.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Lower Back Pain?

Answer: Common causes include herniated discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, muscle strain, and joint inflammation. Each condition affects the body differently, which is why diagnosis is key.

How Do I Know If My Back Pain Is Serious?

Answer: Warning signs include severe or worsening pain, pain that radiates into the legs, or symptoms that disrupt sleep, walking, or normal movement. Imaging and a physical exam can help clarify what’s going on.

What Non-Surgical Treatments Are Available for Lower Back Pain?

Answer: Options include epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, facet joint ablation, physical therapy, and lifestyle adjustments. Many patients improve without needing surgery or long-term medications.

How Long Does It Take to Feel Better With Treatment?

Answer: Recovery time varies. Some patients feel relief within days of a procedure, while others improve gradually with a combination of therapy and self-care. Your provider will track your progress and adjust your plan as needed.

Do I Need Imaging (Like an MRI) to Diagnose My Pain?

Answer: Not always. Imaging is used when needed to confirm a suspected diagnosis or rule out more serious problems. A hands-on exam and detailed health history are just as important.

Can Physical Therapy Really Help With Chronic Back Pain?

Answer: Yes. Movement, core strengthening, and posture correction can relieve pressure on the spine and reduce pain over time. A structured plan led by a professional can make a major difference.

Are Epidural Injections Safe and Effective?

Answer: When performed by trained specialists, epidural steroid injections are a safe and well-established treatment for nerve-related back pain. They work by reducing inflammation around irritated nerves.

Will I Eventually Need Surgery for My Back Pain?

Answer: Not necessarily. Most people improve with non-surgical treatments. Surgery is considered only when other options haven’t worked, and even then, it’s based on specific findings, not assumptions.

What Can I Do at Home to Manage Back Pain Between Visits?

Answer: Stay gently active, apply heat or ice as needed, use proper posture, and follow your provider’s instructions for stretching or exercises. Avoid pushing through pain, consistency and pacing matter.

Still have questions? Our team is here to listen, explain, and guide you toward the relief you deserve. Don’t hesitate to reach out for answers tailored to your unique needs.

Meet Your Provider: Dr. Azeem

Finding the right provider can make all the difference when you’re living with chronic back pain. At Florida Spine & Pain Specialists, Dr. Azeem leads with compassion, experience, and a commitment to helping every patient find lasting, non-surgical relief.

Committed to Helping Patients Find Relief

Dr. Azeem is a board-certified pain management specialist who serves the greater Tampa area with a personalized, patient-first approach. He takes time to listen, understand each person’s unique experience, and design care plans that support not just symptom relief but real quality of life improvements.

Expertise That Supports Minimally Invasive Care

With advanced training in interventional pain management and anesthesiology, Dr. Azeem specializes in procedures that reduce pain without major surgery or long-term opioid use. His practice is rooted in evidence-based techn