What causes low back pain?

Low back pain is a symptom rather than a diagnosis. Discs, spinal joints, the sacroiliac region, nerves, and the surrounding muscles can all contribute, and factors such as strength, prior injury, repetitive loading, sleep, stress, and general health may influence symptoms. An in-person evaluation is used to understand which factors apply to you.

Do I need an MRI before being evaluated?

No. We begin with your history, symptoms, and a focused examination. If existing imaging is available we will review it, and if additional imaging would meaningfully change the discussion, we will tell you — imaging findings are interpreted alongside your exam, not on their own.

Do you use spinal decompression for low back pain?

Spinal decompression is one of several supportive options available in our office. Whether it is appropriate depends on your examination and individual circumstances, which is why it is discussed after the evaluation rather than recommended in advance.

What if I've already tried other treatments?

Many patients come to us after trying medication, therapy, or injections elsewhere. When something has not helped, that information is useful — it helps narrow down what may be limiting recovery and shapes the discussion about reasonable next steps.

How do I know which option is right for me?

That decision comes out of the evaluation, not before it. We explain what we find, discuss the options that may be appropriate for your situation, and are direct when a different approach or a referral to another provider would serve you better.

Low Back Pain

Understand the Source.
Explore Your Options. Move Forward.

Low back pain can come from many different structures and contributing factors. Our first step is understanding what may be contributing to your symptoms and the factors that may be affecting your movement, function, and ability to recover.

Request an evaluation (774) 409-5055

Serving Raynham, MA and Southeastern Massachusetts.

Adult experiencing low back discomfort in Raynham MA

Low back pain is evaluated non-surgically at Regenerative Medicine of Raynham in Raynham, MA. Dr. Brian Petrie, DC reviews your history and symptoms, examines the discs, spinal joints, sacroiliac region, nerves, and surrounding muscles, and identifies factors that may be affecting recovery — then discusses which options may or may not fit your situation. Call (774) 409-5055 to request an evaluation.

What Could Be Contributing to Your Low Back Pain?

Low back pain is a symptom — not a diagnosis. Different structures and factors can contribute to similar symptoms. Depending on the individual, these may include:

Illustration of the lumbar spine used to explain possible contributors to low back pain

Disc & Joint Changes

Age-related or degenerative changes in the discs and spinal joints may contribute to stiffness, reduced mobility, or discomfort.

Muscles & Soft Tissues

Strain, tension, deconditioning, or irritation involving muscles and connective tissues can affect comfort and movement.

Sacroiliac & Pelvic Mechanics

The sacroiliac joints, pelvis, and surrounding structures can influence how forces are transferred through the low back.

Nerve Irritation

Irritation or sensitivity involving spinal nerves may contribute to pain that stays in the back or travels into the buttock or leg.

Movement & Other Factors

Strength, mobility, repetitive loading, prior injury, sleep, stress, inflammation, and overall health may all influence symptoms.

That is why we do not begin by recommending a procedure. We begin by evaluating you.

Our Approach to Low Back Pain

We focus on three key areas that can help support your body's natural recovery processes and improve function.

Address Irritation & Inflammation

Persistent irritation and inflammation can interfere with comfort and normal recovery. We look for factors that may be contributing to the problem.

Support the Recovery Environment

Recovery depends on more than the painful area alone. We consider nutrition, metabolic health, tissue support, and other individual factors when appropriate.

Restore Function

Strength, mobility, coordination, and gradual return to activity help the low back handle everyday demands and support longer-term function.

Our goal is to create the best possible environment for recovery and function — not to promise that a particular procedure will repair or regenerate damaged tissue.

How we evaluate patients

What you can expect

1
A Focused Evaluation
We begin with your history, symptoms, goals, and a focused examination to better understand what may be contributing to your low back pain.
2
An Individualized Discussion
We explain what we find, discuss reasonable options, and help you understand which next steps may or may not fit your situation.
3
A Plan Built Around Function
When care is appropriate, recommendations are tailored to the individual with the goal of supporting mobility, function, and the body's natural recovery processes.

How long does it take?

Every patient responds differently. The timeline below reflects general patterns and is provided for educational purposes only — not as a prediction of individual results.

1
First 1–2 weeks
Early care focuses on calming irritation and identifying activities and positions that are aggravating symptoms.
2
Weeks 2–6
Many patients notice small changes first — easier movement, fewer flare-ups, better sleep. Gentle mobility and strengthening work begins.
3
Weeks 6–12
Function and tolerance for sitting, standing, and lifting often continue to change as strength and coordination improve.
4
3–6+ months
Progress continues beyond the last visit, with the focus on maintaining function and returning to the activities that matter most to you.

Real Patient Experiences

Patients regularly share what their care at Regenerative Medicine of Raynham has been like. Low back pain video stories are being added — in the meantime, you can watch experiences from across our practice.

View patient experiences

Patient experiences are individual and are not a guarantee or prediction of results. Outcomes vary based on the individual, diagnosis, health status, and other factors.

Answers

Low Back Pain questions we hear most

Straight answers to what patients ask before their first visit. Don't see yours? Call us — we're happy to talk it through.

Not Sure What's Contributing to Your Low Back Pain?

The first step is understanding the problem — not choosing a procedure. Request an evaluation to discuss your symptoms, goals, and possible next steps.