Understanding Low Back Pain
Low back pain is one of the most common medical complaints globally, affecting up to 80% of people at some point in their lives. While most acute episodes resolve within 6–12 weeks, chronic low back pain (lasting more than 3 months) requires a more structured diagnostic and treatment approach to identify the specific pain generator and deliver targeted relief.
The lumbar spine is a complex structure involving vertebrae, intervertebral discs, facet joints, ligaments, muscles, and multiple nerve roots — any of which can become a source of pain. Accurate diagnosis is essential: a herniated disc causing nerve compression requires different treatment than facet joint arthritis or sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Dr. Qureshi's interventional approach includes diagnostic injections to precisely identify pain sources when imaging alone is inconclusive.
Most low back pain does not require surgery. The majority of patients achieve excellent results through a combination of targeted injections, physical therapy, and lifestyle modification. Dr. Qureshi specializes in keeping patients out of the operating room.
Symptoms
- Dull, aching, or sharp pain in the lower back
- Pain that worsens with prolonged sitting, standing, or bending
- Pain radiating into the buttock, hip, or down the leg (sciatica)
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion, especially in the morning
- Muscle spasms around the lower back
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg or foot
Treatment Options at Our Katy Practice
Dr. Qureshi takes a multimodal, non-surgical approach to pain management. Treatment recommendations are based on your diagnosis, imaging findings, symptom severity, and prior treatment history.
- Epidural steroid injections for nerve-related or discogenic pain
- Facet joint injections and medial branch blocks for facet-mediated pain
- Radiofrequency ablation for confirmed facet joint arthritis
- Sacroiliac joint injections for SI joint dysfunction
- PRP therapy for degenerative disc and joint conditions
- Spinal cord stimulation for complex or refractory low back pain