The lumbar spine (lower back) supports much of your body’s weight and plays a key role in movement and stability. When issues arise in this region, they can lead to pain, weakness, or difficulty walking. At Atlas Spine Institute, we focus on identifying the root cause of your symptoms and guiding you through personalized, nonoperative care whenever possible. Below are some of the most common lumbar conditions we treat:

Lumbar Disc Herniation

A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner portion of a spinal disc pushes out and presses on a nearby nerve root. This can result in:

  • Sciatica (shooting pain down the leg)
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Leg weakness

Goal: Relieve nerve pressure and restore function through conservative care or, if needed, surgical intervention.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal, often caused by degenerative disc disease and arthritis. This can lead to:

  • Difficulty standing upright or walking long distances
  • Numbness, tingling, or heaviness in the legs
  • Relief when leaning forward (e.g., on a shopping cart) or sitting down

Goal: Improve mobility and reduce nerve compression through targeted therapies.

Lumbar Spondylolisthesis

This condition involves one vertebra slipping forward over the one below it, which can compress nerves and cause:

  • Lower back pain
  • Sciatica or leg pain
  • Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs

Goal: Stabilize the spine and relieve nerve pressure using a combination of physical therapy, bracing, or surgery if necessary.

Neurogenic Claudication

This is a symptom pattern often associated with spinal stenosis. Patients may experience:

  • Leg pain, weakness, or fatigue while walking
  • A need to lean forward or rest frequently
  • Symptoms that return after walking short distances

Goal: Enhance walking ability and comfort through posture training, physical therapy, and other nonoperative treatments.

Our Approach

At Atlas Spine Institute, we prioritize nonoperative treatments such as:

  • Physical therapy
  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Epidural injections
  • Activity modification

If these methods do not provide sufficient relief, we also offer advanced surgical options tailored to your condition and lifestyle.