At Integrative Sports & Spine, we specialize in spinal pain caused by disc issues, degeneration, and nerve compression. We use advanced interventional treatments to target the source of pain and improve spinal function. Care is available in Long Beach, Riverside, Alhambra, and City of Industry.
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Treatment Time Most spinal pain procedures are completed within a single outpatient visit with minimal disruption to your schedule
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Most patients return to light daily activities within 24 to 72 hours following treatment.
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Location Available
Available at all of our ISS Clinics - Long Beach, Alhambra, Riverside, and City of Industry.
The spine is one of the most complex structures in the human body. It houses and protects the spinal cord, provides the framework for upright posture and movement, and serves as an attachment point for the muscles and ligaments that drive virtually every physical action. Its complexity also makes it vulnerable. With more than thirty vertebrae, twenty-three intervertebral discs, dozens of paired facet joints, and an intricate network of nerve roots, many structures can become sources of pain.
Spinal pain rarely has a single, simple cause. A disc herniation may compress a nerve root and generate radiating pain into the arm or leg. Facet joint degeneration can produce deep, aching local pain that worsens with extension and rotation. Spinal stenosis narrows the canal through which nerve roots travel, causing cramping, weakness, and pain with walking. Muscle and ligament dysfunction layer additional complexity on top of structural changes. Getting to the true origin of spinal pain rather than treating the most obvious finding on an imaging study is what separates effective care from care that merely delays the problem.
At Integrative Sports & Spine, our physicians are trained to think beyond the scan. We combine detailed clinical examination, careful analysis of imaging, and where appropriate, diagnostic injections that confirm the precise pain generator before any therapeutic treatment is delivered. The result is a personalized, targeted care plan that addresses the actual source of your spinal pain, not just its most visible representation.
Imaging findings do not always correspond to pain generators. Many patients have disc bulges or degenerative changes visible on MRI that are not the actual source of their symptoms. Our diagnostic process including clinical examination and selective diagnostic injections confirms the precise structure responsible for your pain before any treatment is applied.
The majority of spinal pain conditions, including disc herniations, facet joint degeneration, spinal stenosis, and nerve root compression, respond well to targeted non-surgical therapies. We exhaust every appropriate conservative and interventional option before surgical consultation is ever considered.
Untreated spinal pain and the compensatory movement patterns it produces accelerate degeneration, weaken stabilizing musculature, and increase the risk of additional injury. Early, targeted intervention preserves spinal function, protects disc and joint integrity, and reduces the likelihood of progressive deterioration.
Pain relief creates a window for rehabilitation that pain alone closes. By reducing the inflammatory and neurological drivers of spinal pain, our interventional treatments allow patients to engage fully with physical therapy rebuilding the core strength, postural control, and movement mechanics that protect the spine over the long term.
Lumbar Disc Herniation with Radiculopathy (Sciatica)Herniation of a lumbar intervertebral disc resulting in compression or irritation of a lumbar nerve root, producing lower back pain with radiating leg pain, numbness, or weakness (sciatica).
Cervical Disc Herniation with Radiculopathy
Displacement of disc material in the cervical spine causing nerve root compression, leading to neck pain with radiation into the shoulder, arm, and hand, often accompanied by sensory or motor deficits.
Spinal Stenosis (Cervical or Lumbar)Pathologic narrowing of the spinal canal or neural foramina causing compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots, commonly presenting with neurogenic claudication, pain, and functional limitation.
Facet Joint Arthropathy (Facet Syndrome) Degenerative or inflammatory changes of the facet joints causing localized axial spine pain, often worsened by extension and rotation movements.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
Abnormal motion or inflammation of the sacroiliac joint resulting in lower back, buttock, and referred lower extremity pain.
Spondylolisthesis
Anterior displacement of a vertebral body relative to the segment below, which may lead to mechanical instability, nerve root compression, and chronic spinal pain.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Age-related or accelerated degeneration of intervertebral discs characterized by disc desiccation, loss of disc height, and associated axial pain with possible secondary nerve involvement.
Vertebral Compression Fractures
Structural collapse of a vertebral body, most commonly due to osteoporosis or trauma, resulting in acute focal spinal pain and potential deformity.
Piriformis Syndrome / Extra-Spinal Sciatic Nerve EntrapmentCompression or irritation of the sciatic nerve at the level of the piriformis muscle, producing buttock pain and radiating leg symptoms that mimic lumbar radiculopathy.
Post-Laminectomy Syndrome (Failed Back Surgery Syndrome)Persistent or recurrent spinal pain following surgical intervention, often associated with epidural fibrosis, altered biomechanics, or incomplete neural decompression.
Thoracic Spine Pain
Pain originating from the thoracic spine due to disc pathology, facet joint dysfunction, or muscular and postural strain, often presenting as mid-back pain with or without rib radiation.
Preparation Guidelines• Bring all existing spinal imaging, including X-rays, MRI, and CT scans, along with any prior operative reports if you have had previous spinal surgery.
• Provide a complete list of all current medications and supplements, particularly blood thinners or anticoagulants, which may need to be temporarily adjusted before certain procedures.
• Notify our team of any known allergies to local anesthetics, corticosteroids, or contrast dye.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to the back or neck area.
• If your spinal condition relates to a workplace injury or motor vehicle accident, inform our scheduling team in advance so appropriate documentation and billing arrangements can be coordinated.
Initial ConsultationSpinal evaluation at Integrative Sports & Spine goes beyond reviewing your imaging. Our physicians conduct a detailed neurological examination testing strength, sensation, and reflexes throughout the upper and lower extremities alongside a thorough assessment of spinal range of motion, provocative pain patterns, and functional limitations. We review your imaging critically, correlating the structural findings with your clinical presentation to determine which findings are genuinely pain-generating and which are incidental. Where diagnostic clarity requires it, we use selective diagnostic injections to confirm the pain source with precision before committing to a therapeutic approach.
Comfort and Preparation• The skin overlying the treatment area is thoroughly cleaned before any injection is performed.
• A local anesthetic is applied to numb the area, ensuring you remain comfortable throughout the procedure.
• You will be awake and at ease the entire time our team will guide you through each step.
• Most procedures are completed within 15 to 45 minutes, and you are monitored briefly before being cleared to return home the same day.
Targeted Treatment• All spinal procedures are performed under real-time fluoroscopic or ultrasound imaging guidance.
• This live imaging ensures that every medication is delivered to precisely the right anatomical location.
• Imaging-guided precision reduces the risk of error and improves the effectiveness of each injection.
• The combination of careful preparation and guided delivery means your treatment is both safe and specifically tailored to your condition.
Immediate Recovery• Mild soreness at the injection site and a temporary increase in local discomfort during the first 24 to 48 hours is normal and expected.
• Apply ice to the treated area for 15 to 20 minutes every two to three hours to manage any localized swelling or post-procedure discomfort.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity, prolonged sitting or standing, and heavy lifting for the first 72 hours following the procedure.
• Contact our office immediately if you experience severe worsening pain, fever, new neurological symptoms such as increased weakness or numbness, or any redness or discharge at the injection site.
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First 72 Hours• Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, bending, and twisting motions for the first 72 hours following your procedure.
• Gentle, short walks are encouraged and may help reduce stiffness, but stop immediately if you experience increased pain.
• Avoid submerging the injection site in water no swimming, baths, or hot tubs until your physician clears you to do so.
• Sleep in a comfortable position that does not place additional strain on your spine. A pillow under your knees when lying on your back may help.
Long-Term Recovery• Resume light daily activities gradually over the first one to two weeks, guided by your physician's specific recommendations for your procedure and diagnosis.
• Commit consistently to your prescribed spinal rehabilitation program the structural improvements achieved through interventional treatment are only fully realized when supported by restored muscular strength, movement control, and postural habits.
• Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments so your physician can evaluate your response, monitor neurological recovery, and adjust your treatment plan appropriately.
• Implement any recommended ergonomic, activity, or lifestyle modifications including workstation adjustments, sleeping position guidance, and weight management strategies that reduce mechanical spinal load and support long-term spinal health.
Image-Guided Spinal Procedures
All of our spinal injections and nerve procedures are performed under real-time fluoroscopy or ultrasound guidance. Accurate placement in the epidural space, facet joint, or nerve root foramen is not achievable without imaging and we never perform spinal procedures without it.
Full Spectrum of Interventional Spinal Therapies
From epidural steroid injections and facet blocks to radiofrequency ablation and PRP therapy, our range of spinal treatment options allows us to match the right intervention to the right diagnosis at the right stage of a patient's condition. We do not have a one-size-fits-all approach to spinal pain.
Holistic Spinal Assessment
Spinal pain does not exist in isolation. Our physicians evaluate how hip mobility, sacropelvic alignment, thoracic stiffness, and lower extremity mechanics contribute to lumbar and cervical loading addressing the full biomechanical picture rather than treating the spine as if it were independent of the rest of the body.
Back pain that persists beyond two to three weeks, is associated with radiating pain, numbness, or weakness into the arms or legs, follows a traumatic injury, or significantly limits your daily function warrants a professional evaluation.
When performed by experienced physicians under image guidance, spinal injections carry a very low risk of serious complications. The most common side effects are temporary soreness at the injection site with corticosteroid injections. Your physician will review the specific risks relevant to your procedure during your consultation.
Duration of relief varies considerably between patients and conditions. Some patients experience relief lasting several months or longer from a single injection. Others benefit from a series of two to three injections.
A facet joint injection or medial branch block uses local anesthetic and sometimes corticosteroid to reduce pain from the facet joint providing relief that typically lasts weeks to months. Radiofrequency ablation goes further, using controlled heat to deactivate the specific nerve fibers transmitting pain from the joint, providing relief that commonly lasts from several months to well over a year.
Yes. Epidural steroid injections target the inflammatory environment surrounding compressed nerve roots addressing both the local back discomfort and the radiating leg or arm symptoms generated by nerve involvement simultaneously. Many patients notice improvement in radiating symptoms before local back pain fully resolves.
Not necessarily. If one interventional approach does not achieve the desired outcome, there are often additional non-surgical options to explore including different injection types, nerve-based procedures, regenerative therapies, or a more intensive rehabilitation approach.
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Treated for lumbar disc herniation with sciatica "
I had shooting pain down my left leg for almost eight months. I could barely sit through a meal or make it through a workday. The epidural injection here gave me significant relief within days, and after completing the rehabilitation program, the sciatica has not returned."
Treated for lumbar facet joint syndrome and spinal stenosis
"My lower back pain had been written off as 'just arthritis' for years. The team here actually identified exactly which joints were causing my pain, treated them directly, and with the radiofrequency procedure I have had over a year of real relief. I wish I had found this practice sooner."
Treated for cervical disc herniation with arm pain
"I had constant neck pain and numbness in my right hand that was affecting my ability to work. Two cervical injections and a structured rehabilitation program later, I have full sensation back in my hand and can work without pain for the first time in years."
Spinal pain that limits your movement, disrupts your sleep, and prevents you from living fully does not have to be permanent. At Integrative Sports & Spine, our spinal pain specialists combine precise diagnosis, advanced interventional therapies, and comprehensive rehabilitation to address your pain at its source and help you build the strength and resilience to stay well.
Call (833) 476-7377 or click the appointment button below to schedule a consultation at any of our four Southern California pain clinic locations.
A comprehensive overview of our full range of interventional and regenerative treatment options for musculoskeletal and nerve-related pain providing context for where spinal care fits within our broader approach to non-surgical pain management.
View MoreSpecialized care for spinal pain arising from acute trauma, motor vehicle accidents, workplace injuries, and sports-related incidents combining accurate injury assessment, targeted interventional treatment, and structured rehabilitation to support complete recovery.
View MoreA regenerative treatment option for appropriate candidates with degenerative disc disease, facet joint damage, or spinal ligament instability delivering concentrated healing signals directly to damaged spinal structures to stimulate tissue repair and reduce chronic inflammation.
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