Back Pain
Lower Back Pain Treatment Specialists
Expert Lower Back Pain Treatment in Phoenix, AZ — From a Dual Board-Certified Spine Surgeon & Neurosurgeon
Lasting relief from lower back pain starts with the right diagnosis. At Desert Spine and Pain, Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS — a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon — pinpoints the true source of your pain and treats it with the least invasive option that works.
Over 100 5-Star Reviews!
Over 30 Years Experience in Orthopedic & Neuro Spine Surgeries.
Lower back pain is the most common spine complaint we treat — and one of the most treatable. The key is finding exactly which structure is causing it. At Desert Spine and Pain in Phoenix, a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon diagnoses the real source of your lower back pain and treats it with a least-invasive-first plan built around you.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500Common Sources of Lower Back Pain
What Causes Lower Back Pain?
Lower back pain — also called low back pain, lumbar pain, or lumbago — is one of the most common reasons people see a doctor, and it rarely has a single cause. Most lower back pain comes from one of a handful of structures in the lumbar spine: a disc that bulges or herniates and presses on a nerve, the small facet joints at the back of the spine wearing down, the sacroiliac (SI) joint where the spine meets the pelvis, or the surrounding muscles and ligaments. Often several of these overlap.
The good news: the vast majority of lower back pain is treatable without surgery — but getting better starts with knowing exactly which structure is responsible, which is where a specialist evaluation makes the difference.
When to See a Lower Back Pain Specialist
Occasional soreness usually settles on its own. Consider seeing a specialist when pain lasts more than a few weeks, keeps coming back, radiates into the buttock or leg, or interferes with work and sleep. A specialist can pinpoint the source and build a plan — instead of leaving you cycling through medications that only mask it.
Go to an emergency room or call us immediately if lower back pain comes with loss of bladder or bowel control, progressive leg weakness or numbness, numbness around the groin, fever, or follows a significant fall or accident. These can signal a problem that needs urgent attention.
How We Treat Lower Back Pain
At Desert Spine and Pain, we follow a least-invasive-first philosophy: we start with the gentlest treatment likely to work and only advance if your lower back pain truly requires it. Most patients never reach the top of this ladder.
Conservative care & therapy
For most patients, the first step is activity modification, physical therapy through our on-site partner BackFit Health + Spine, and supportive bracing when helpful.
Image-guided injections
When pain persists, targeted injections — such as epidural steroid, facet joint, or trigger-point injections — calm inflammation and confirm the source.
Nerve blocks & radiofrequency ablation
If facet joints are the culprit, medial branch blocks confirm it and radiofrequency ablation can provide many months of relief.
Advanced pain control
For severe, persistent nerve pain that hasn't responded to other care, spinal cord stimulation — trialed first — can mask the pain long-term.
Minimally invasive surgery — only when needed
When a structural problem is clearly the cause, options like lumbar microdiscectomy, laminectomy, or lumbar fusion can resolve it — performed minimally invasively whenever possible.
What to Expect: Your Care Journey at Desert Spine and Pain
From your first visit, the goal is a clear diagnosis and a plan built around you — not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Consultation
We listen to your history, examine you, and review any prior imaging — no referral required.
Diagnosis
If needed, we order or review MRI/X-ray imaging and may use diagnostic nerve testing or a diagnostic injection to confirm the exact pain source.
Personalized plan
Dr. Greenwald explains your options in plain language and starts with the least invasive treatment likely to work.
Treatment & follow-up
We deliver your care — therapy, a procedure, or surgery at an affiliated accredited facility — and follow you closely until you're back to living.
Life Beyond the Pain
Why Choose Our Lower Back Pain Specialists in Phoenix
Choosing the right lower back pain specialist in Phoenix matters. At Desert Spine and Pain, your care is led by Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS — a physician who is both a board-certified spine surgeon and a neurosurgeon. That dual expertise is rare, and it means one expert can guide you across the entire spectrum of care, from a simple injection to complex surgery, and recommend what's genuinely best for your back rather than only what a single specialty offers.
A rare dual credential — so the specialist who treats your lower back pain can also perform surgery if it's ever needed.
Most patients get better without surgery. We only advance when your condition truly requires it.
No referral needed. We make it straightforward to see a top spine specialist, even out-of-network.
24/7 concierge response and close coordination with personal-injury attorneys for accident-related back pain.
Insurance, Out-of-Network & Cost
Cost and coverage shouldn't stand between you and relief. Desert Spine and Pain welcomes out-of-network patients and will walk you through what your evaluation and treatment are likely to involve before anything is scheduled — so there are no surprises. We'll help you understand your benefits and options, whether you're using insurance, paying out-of-pocket, or being treated under a personal-injury claim.
Injured in an Accident?
If your lower back pain started with a car accident, slip-and-fall, or work injury, we offer a dedicated pathway: prompt evaluation, thorough documentation and records for your case, and direct coordination with your personal-injury attorney. You focus on recovering; we handle the medical side.
Schedule Your ConsultationProudly Serving the Greater Phoenix, Arizona Area
Patients travel to Desert Spine and Pain from across Arizona for specialist spine care — because the right spine surgeon is worth the drive. We welcome patients from Phoenix and communities throughout the Valley and beyond:
…and surrounding Arizona communities. Out-of-network patients are welcome, and no referral is required — schedule a consultation.
Related Conditions We Treat
Degenerative Disc Disease
Age-related drying and thinning of the discs that can cause pain.
Learn MoreNot sure which applies? Start with the back & neck pain conditions we treat.
Stop guessing what's causing your lower back pain.
See a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon in Phoenix for a clear diagnosis and a least-invasive-first plan built around you.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500Lower Back Pain: Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see a specialist for lower back pain?
See a specialist if your pain lasts more than a few weeks, keeps returning, radiates into your leg, or disrupts sleep and daily life — or sooner if you have red-flag symptoms like leg weakness or loss of bladder control.
Will I need surgery for my lower back pain?
Almost certainly not as a first step. The large majority of lower back pain improves with conservative care and, when needed, image-guided injections. Surgery is reserved for the minority of cases with a clear structural cause.
How soon can I get relief?
Many patients feel better within weeks of starting the right treatment. Injections can relieve pain quickly, and radiofrequency ablation can provide many months of relief when facet joints are the source.
Do you take my insurance, and what if you're out-of-network?
We welcome out-of-network patients and will explain your likely costs and coverage before anything is scheduled, so there are no surprises — whether you use insurance, pay out-of-pocket, or are treated under a personal-injury claim.
Do I need a referral to see a lower back pain doctor in Phoenix?
No. You can schedule a consultation with our Phoenix spine specialists directly — no referral required.
My lower back pain is from a car accident — can you help?
Yes. We offer prompt evaluation, full documentation for your case, and direct coordination with your personal-injury attorney for accident-related back pain.
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD
Neuro-Spine Surgeon
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Every step you take toward lasting relief from lower back pain is a step toward reclaiming your comfort and mobility. Dr. David Greenwald and his dedicated team are here to guide you through every stage of your recovery with expert care and compassion. Whether your pain is new or chronic, we’ll work with you to find the right solution—so you can move, work, and live without constant discomfort. You deserve to feel your best, and we’re here to make it happen. Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward a pain-free future.
Voted Best Back Doctor
Over 30 Years Experience in Orthopedic & Neuro Spine Surgeries.
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS
Neurosurgeon | Spine Surgeon | Regenerative Medicine
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS, is a board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon with extensive experience diagnosing and treating lower back pain, which can cause pain, numbness, or weakness. He uses advanced imaging to pinpoint the true source of your symptoms and builds a personalized, least-invasive-first plan — from conservative care and targeted injections to minimally invasive surgery only when it is truly needed. His skill and patient-centered approach help patients throughout the greater Phoenix, Arizona area experience meaningful pain relief, reduced recovery time, and restored mobility.
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