Skip to main content

Back Pain

Back Pain Treatment in Brooklyn, NY

Back pain can originate from the spine, joints, nerves, muscles, or supporting soft tissues—and symptoms often overlap. Accurate diagnosis is essential before selecting treatment. At Motionis Medicine, back pain is evaluated through a physician-led, diagnosis-first approach focused on identifying the primary pain generator and guiding appropriate non-surgical care.

Care is led by Dr. Tanuj Palvia, MD, a board-certified interventional pain medicine physician with over 15 years of experience in image-guided spine care.

Book an Appointment

What Is Back Pain?

Back pain refers to discomfort arising from structures in the lumbar or thoracic spine, including intervertebral discs, facet joints, nerves, muscles, ligaments, and surrounding soft tissues. It may present as localized aching or stiffness, sharp or intermittent pain, muscle spasm, or pain that worsens with certain movements or positions.

Back pain may be:

  • Acute

    following strain or injury

  • Subacute

    persisting beyond expected healing

  • Chronic

    lasting longer than three months or recurring over time

Understanding why pain is occurring is critical to choosing effective treatment.

Common Back Pain Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause and may include:

Because symptoms can overlap across conditions, further evaluation is often required.

  • Localized lower or mid-back pain

  • Stiffness or reduced range of motion

  • Muscle tightness or spasm

  • Pain worsened by bending or lifting

  • Radiating pain into the hips or legs

  • Pain fluctuates with activity or posture

Common Causes of Back Pain We Evaluate

Back pain often involves more than one structure. Common contributors include:

  1. Disc-related conditions (bulging, herniated, or degenerative discs)

  2. Facet joint arthritis or inflammation

  3. Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction

  4. Muscle strain, spasm, or myofascial pain

  5. Spinal stenosis or age-related degeneration

  6. Nerve irritation or compression

  7. Spondylolisthesis or spinal instability

  8. Postural or biomechanical stress

How Back Pain Is Evaluated

Evaluation focuses on identifying the primary pain generator, not simply treating symptoms. A physician-led assessment may include:

  • Detailed clinical history and physical examination

  • Review of prior imaging (MRI, CT, X-ray), when available

  • Functional assessment of movement and stability

  • Image-guided diagnostic injections, when appropriate, to confirm pain sources

This process helps distinguish between disc-related pain, joint-mediated pain, nerve involvement, and muscle-driven symptoms—allowing for more targeted care.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Back Pain

Treatment recommendations depend on diagnosis, symptom severity, and patient goals. Non-surgical options may include:

All procedures are performed under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance for precision and safety and are selected as part of a broader care plan.

When a Specialist Evaluation May Help

You may benefit from a specialist evaluation if:

  • Back pain has lasted longer than expected

  • Physical therapy or medications have not provided sufficient relief

  • Imaging shows “wear and tear,” but surgery is unclear or undesired

  • Pain interferes with work, sleep, or daily activity

  • Symptoms are recurring or progressively worsening

A comprehensive evaluation can help clarify the cause of pain and outline appropriate next steps.

Related Spine Conditions

Schedule a Back Pain Evaluation

If back pain is limiting your movement or quality of life, a comprehensive evaluation can help clarify your options and determine the most appropriate non-surgical care

Book an Appointment