Important Announcements

Nondiscrimination Statement Update

Boston Medical Center Health System complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), religion, culture, physical or mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression. BMCHS provides free aids and services to people with disabilities and free language services to people whose primary language is not English.

To see our full nondiscrimination statement, click here.

Campus Construction Update

Starting September 14, we’re closing the Menino building lobby entrance. This, along with the ongoing Yawkey building entrance closure, will help us bring you an even better campus experience that matches the exceptional care you've come to expect. Please enter the Menino and Yawkey buildings through the Moakley building, and make sure to leave extra time to get to your appointment. Thank you for your patience. 

Click here to learn more about our campus redesign. 

Low Back Pain

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Low back pain is a common medical diagnosis estimated to affect 60-70 percent of the population in their lifetime. Low back pain can be brief, can last a short period from a few days to weeks, and can also evolve into a chronic condition with persistent symptoms lasting greater than 12 weeks. Low back pain can deleteriously impact a patient’s function and sleep. It is one of the leading causes of disability affecting many people worldwide. Treatment for low back pain must be directed at the many underlying causes of low back pain. Common causes of low back pain include myofascial and muscle problems, lumbar spondylosis, lumbar disc degeneration, spinal arthritis, spinal canal stenosis, lumbar radiculopathy (commonly called “sciatica”), and sacroiliac joint disease.

Common Symptoms

  • Pain centered over the low back and upper pelvis
  • Muscle tightness and spasms
  • Shooting pain, numbness or tingling that may travel into the legs
  • Weakness

Diagnostics

  • Bedside examination
  • X-rays
  • CT of the lumbar spine
  • MRI of the lumbar spine

Treatment

  • Physical therapy
  • Lumbar epidural steroid injections
  • Lumbar spine surgery

Departments and Programs Who Treat This Condition

department

Neurology

The Neurology Department offers a full spectrum of neurological care for all neurological disorders, from epilepsy to headaches to Alzheimer’s disease. Our robust research program…
Neurology
department

Spine Surgery

We provide comprehensive surgical treatment for all spine-related conditions, including less invasive surgical techniques that lead to faster recovery times and reduced pain.
Spine Surgery
department

Spine Surgery

BMC’s spine surgery program provides all that and more, with spine surgeons who have developed and perfected new techniques and have cared for all spinal problems, including the m…
Spine Surgery