What does your back pain feel like?
Many low back problems share similar symptoms. A specialist assessment helps determine the likely cause and the appropriate next step.
Lower back pain
Pain localised to the lumbar region. It can be sharp, dull, aching or intermittent.
Pain travelling into the leg
May indicate irritation or compression involving a spinal nerve and should be assessed clinically.
Pain when walking or standing
In some patients this may be associated with lumbar spinal stenosis or other conditions.
Pain when sitting
May occur with several different spinal or musculoskeletal conditions.
Numbness or tingling
May indicate nerve involvement and should be assessed clinically.
Weakness
New or progressive weakness requires appropriate medical assessment.
Morning stiffness
Can have many causes and should be considered alongside other symptoms.
Pain that persists or keeps returning
Persistent symptoms may warrant specialist assessment.
No single symptom proves a specific diagnosis. Symptoms are assessed alongside your history and clinical examination.
What may be causing your low back pain?
Disc-related problems
Disc degeneration, discogenic pain, disc protrusion or disc herniation may contribute to lower back pain. A disc abnormality on MRI does not automatically mean it is the source of symptoms.
Nerve irritation / radicular pain
Pain, numbness, tingling or weakness may occur when a spinal nerve root is irritated or compressed.
Learn about sciaticaSpinal stenosis
Narrowing around the spinal canal or nerve pathways can sometimes produce back and leg symptoms.
Explore spine careForaminal stenosis
Narrowing where a spinal nerve exits the spine, which may contribute to nerve-related symptoms.
Facet joint pain
The small joints at the back of the spine may contribute to pain in selected patients.
Explore spine careSacroiliac pain
The sacroiliac region can contribute to pain around the lower back and buttock area.
Explore spine careMuscular / soft-tissue causes
Muscles, ligaments and other soft tissues can contribute to lower back pain. Not every case is a spinal condition.
Why an MRI does not always explain back pain
Imaging findings need to be interpreted alongside your symptoms and clinical examination. Disc degeneration, bulging discs and other changes can sometimes be present on an MRI without causing symptoms.
That is why an appropriate clinical assessment is important when deciding whether a finding on an MRI is relevant to your pain.
When should you consider a specialist assessment?
- Pain persists despite appropriate initial care
- Symptoms repeatedly return
- Pain affects work, sleep or daily activities
- Pain travels into the leg
- Numbness or tingling develops
- There is weakness
- Walking becomes difficult
- Previous imaging shows spinal abnormalities
- Another clinician has recommended an intervention or surgery
- The diagnosis or treatment plan is unclear
When back pain needs urgent medical attention
Some symptoms can require urgent medical assessment rather than a routine private appointment. If you experience any of the following, seek urgent medical care:
- New loss of bladder or bowel control
- Numbness around the groin or saddle area
- Significant or rapidly progressing weakness
- Severe back pain following significant trauma
- Severe symptoms accompanied by other concerning systemic symptoms
This information is not a diagnosis. If you are concerned about urgent symptoms, contact your local emergency services or attend an emergency department.
How can low back pain be treated?
Treatment selection depends on the diagnosis, symptoms, imaging and individual clinical circumstances. Not every patient progresses through every level.
- 01
Non-surgical / conservative
Depending on diagnosis and individual circumstances, options may include activity modification, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, exercise-based management, medication prescribed by an appropriate clinician and other non-surgical approaches.
- 02
Interventional
For selected patients, options may include caudal epidural block, interlaminar epidural, selective nerve root block, facet joint block, medial branch block, sacroiliac injection and radiofrequency procedures.
- 03
Regenerative
Intradiscal PRP is an advanced regenerative option that may be considered for selected patients with specific disc-related pathology following specialist assessment and appropriate imaging review.
- 04
Minimally invasive / endoscopic
Selected patients may be candidates for endoscopic discectomy, endoscopic decompression, foraminal decompression and selected minimally invasive procedures.
- 05
Surgery
Spine surgery may be appropriate for selected patients depending on the diagnosis, neurological findings, imaging and response to previous treatment. Procedures may include microdiscectomy, decompression, stenosis surgery, fusion and cervical surgery where relevant.
Have you been told you need back surgery?
A surgical recommendation should be considered in the context of your diagnosis, symptoms, imaging findings, neurological status and individual circumstances. If you have already received an MRI, X-ray, CT scan, medical report or surgical recommendation, you can share the information with our team for review and discussion of the appropriate next step.
We do not promise that surgery can be avoided. We do not advise disregarding an existing surgeon's recommendation.
Private spine treatment prices
Interventional spine procedures
From €1,250Radiofrequency
From €2,500Intradiscal PRP
From €5,500Endoscopic spine procedures
From €10,500Spine surgery
From €10,000Published prices are indicative private-patient starting prices. Final quotations are personalised following specialist assessment.
Have you already had an MRI?
If you already have an MRI, X-ray, CT scan or medical report, you can send the available information to our team via WhatsApp before arranging the next step. A review of imaging helps the specialist prepare, but does not replace a clinical consultation.
Traumatology Team
Advanced Orthopaedic Care
Reviewing imaging does not guarantee a diagnosis and does not replace a clinical consultation.
Private low back pain care on the Costa Blanca
Traumatology Team provides private orthopaedic and spine care for patients living in and around the Costa Blanca, including Torrevieja, La Zenia, Orihuela Costa and Alicante. Exact consultation locations are confirmed on booking.
Private spine care for international patients
- English-speaking communication
- Private care and specialist assessment
- Imaging review (MRI, X-ray, CT)
- Clear private pricing
- Treatment planning
- Surgical coordination when appropriate
Send your imaging from anywhere
If you already have an MRI, X-ray, CT scan or medical report, you can share it with our team via WhatsApp before your appointment.