Lower Back Pain Doctor in Wilkes-Barre, PA

At Comprehensive Pain Specialists, we often see patients who suffer from lower back pain caused or worsened by prolonged sitting—a common issue for those with desk jobs or sedentary lifestyles. Sitting for long periods can strain the muscles and ligaments in your lower back. It also encourages poor posture, such as slouching or leaning forward, which places additional stress on your spine.

When you remain seated without enough movement, the discs in your lumbar spine can become compressed. Over time, this may lead to stiffness, chronic discomfort, or even more serious conditions like herniated discs or sciatica. Reduced blood flow from sitting too long also deprives your lower back muscles of nutrients and oxygen, making them more prone to fatigue and injury. Tight hip flexors—a common result of prolonged sitting—can further increase stress on your lower back.
 
We recommend taking regular breaks to stand, stretch, and move around throughout your day. Paying attention to your workspace ergonomics, including proper chair height and lumbar support, can help maintain a healthier posture and reduce your risk of pain.
 
If you’re experiencing persistent lower back pain despite these measures, it may be time to consult with a pain management specialist. At Comprehensive Pain Specialists, our team is dedicated to diagnosing the root cause of your pain and developing a personalized treatment plan—whether that involves physical therapy, medication management, interventional procedures, or lifestyle guidance.

Understanding whether your pain is muscular or spinal in origin is crucial, as each requires a different approach to care.
 
Muscular back pain often develops after activities such as heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, or sudden awkward movements. Patients typically describe this pain as an aching, stiffness, or soreness localized in the lower back. It frequently worsens with movement or when pressing on specific muscles and generally improves with rest, gentle stretching, or over-the-counter pain medications. Our providers can help you distinguish between normal muscle soreness and pain that may require further evaluation.
 
On the other hand, spinal or nerve-related back pain can present as sharp, shooting, or burning sensations. This type of pain may radiate down the legs and into the feet—a symptom known as sciatica. Additional signs such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs or feet often indicate nerve involvement. Spinal pain may worsen with prolonged sitting or standing and does not always improve with rest alone. At Comprehensive Pain Specialists, we utilize advanced diagnostic techniques to pinpoint the exact cause of your discomfort and customize your treatment plan.
 
It is important to recognize red flag symptoms that require immediate medical attention, including:

• Difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels
• Significant weakness or numbness in the legs
• Unexplained weight loss
• Severe pain that does not improve or disrupts your sleep

Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical attention, and it can significantly affect your quality of life. While this pain is often caused by muscle strain, poor posture, or minor injuries—and may resolve with rest, stretching, or over-the-counter pain medications—it can sometimes indicate a more serious underlying condition.
 
At Comprehensive Pain Specialists, our team understands that not all back pain is the same. Persistent, severe, or worsening lower back pain should never be ignored, especially if accompanied by symptoms such as numbness, tingling, weakness in the legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, unexplained weight loss, fever, or a history of trauma, infection, or cancer. These can be signs of more complex conditions, including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, vertebral fractures, spinal infections, inflammatory diseases like ankylosing spondylitis, or even cancers that may affect the spine. Additionally, issues with nearby organs—such as kidney stones or infections—can sometimes be felt as back pain.
 
If your lower back pain does not improve with self-care, or if you are experiencing any of the warning signs mentioned above, it’s important to have a comprehensive evaluation from specialists who focus on pain management. At Comprehensive Pain Specialists, we offer advanced diagnostic tools and a wide range of treatment options tailored to your individual needs. Our goal is to identify the root cause of your pain and develop an effective, personalized treatment plan—helping you return to your daily activities and improve your quality of life.

As we age, the structures supporting the spine—including intervertebral discs, muscles, ligaments, and joints—undergo natural degenerative changes. Discs lose hydration and elasticity over time, making them less effective at absorbing shock and more susceptible to conditions like disc degeneration or herniation. Additionally, spinal joints may develop osteoarthritis, resulting in pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the lower back. Weakened or less flexible muscles and ligaments can further reduce spinal stability, increasing the risk of injury from everyday activities. Age-related conditions such as osteoporosis also contribute to spinal weakness, raising the likelihood of compression fractures.
 
Lifestyle factors are equally important. Reduced physical activity in older adults can lead to decreased core strength and flexibility, both of which are vital for maintaining a healthy back. Years of repetitive movements, poor posture, or previous injuries further add to the risk of developing chronic back pain.
 
At Comprehensive Pain Specialists, we offer a personalized approach to diagnosing and treating lower back pain in older adults. Our multidisciplinary team uses the latest advancements in pain management, physical therapy, and minimally invasive interventions to address the unique needs of each patient.

At Comprehensive Pain Specialists, we understand that living with lower back pain can be a challenge. That’s why we’re proud to have Dr. Youssef Josephson, D.O., a leading expert in the field, dedicated to helping you find relief. Dr. Josephson specializes in creating personalized treatment plans that focus on non-surgical, advanced approaches to address the root cause of your pain. His goal is to not only alleviate your symptoms but to help you regain your quality of life.
 
If you or a loved one is experiencing lower back pain, visit Comprehensive Pain Specialists to learn how we can help you manage your pain and regain your active lifestyle. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are located at 1177 PA-315, Dolphin Plaza, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. We serve patients from Wilkes-Barre PA, Glen Lyon PA, Dallas PA, Pittston PA, Mountain Top PA, Plymouth PA, and surrounding areas.