Conditions We Treat
Back Pain Treatment in Louisville & Radcliff, KY
For back pain that has lasted more than a few weeks, a pain specialist first finds the source with an exam, an imaging review and, when needed, a diagnostic block. Then it is treated with image-guided procedures instead of relying on opioids. See us in Louisville or Radcliff; call (502) 995-4004, answered 24/7.
Request an AppointmentWhere back pain comes from
“Back pain” is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Most lasting back pain starts in one of five places, and each one tends to feel a little different. These patterns are where the conversation at your visit begins. They are clues for the exam, not a diagnosis, and many people have more than one source at once.
Not sure which fits? Read facet joints or a disc or our guide to lower back pain on both sides.
- 01
A disc pressing on a nerve root
Burning, electric or tingling pain that travels from the low back into the buttock or down the leg, often called sciatica. A herniated or bulging disc is a common cause.
Often treated with: Epidural steroid injections
- 02
The facet joints
A deep ache in the low back that may spread to the hip or buttock but not far down the leg, worse when you arch backward, twist or stand for a long time.
Often treated with: Lumbar facet joint injections
- 03
The sacroiliac (SI) joint
Pain on one side, low in the back near the top of the buttock, sometimes into the hip or groin, that flares with sitting, standing up or climbing stairs.
Often treated with: Sacroiliac joint injections
- 04
Spinal stenosis
Aching, heaviness or numbness in the back and legs that builds as you stand or walk and eases when you sit or lean forward, as the spinal canal narrows around the nerves.
Often treated with: Epidural steroid injections
- 05
Scar tissue after back surgery
Pain that returned or never fully left after spine surgery, especially when standard epidural injections have stopped helping because scar tissue blocks the medication.
Often treated with: Epidural lysis of adhesions
How we find the source before we treat it
An injection aimed at the wrong structure does little, however well it is placed. That is why every back pain plan at our clinic starts with finding the pain generator, led by Dr. Ajith Nair, our founder and medical director.
- 01
A full evaluation
Your first visit is a conversation and an exam. Where the pain sits, whether it travels, what makes it worse and what you have already tried all narrow down which structure is involved.
- 02
Imaging review
Bring any MRI, CT or X-ray reports you have. Imaging shows what has changed in the spine, but not every change on a scan is the one that hurts, which is why the exam and imaging are read together.
- 03
A diagnostic block when the source is unclear
Numbing medication is placed near the small nerves serving one joint. If your usual pain clearly fades for a few hours, that joint is the likely source. Our diagnostic facet joint blocks page explains the test, and why a diagnostic block comes before treatment covers the reasoning.
- 04
A plan aimed at the confirmed source
Only then is a procedure chosen. The same “confirm, then treat” logic is why radiofrequency ablation is offered after a positive block, not before.
Treatments for back pain at Kentuckiana Pain Specialists
Once the source is confirmed, the treatment is matched to it.
Every option here is non-surgical or minimally invasive and done as an outpatient. Most people start with the simplest procedure that fits their diagnosis; the implanted options are for pain that has outlasted other care. Weighing two of them? Compare radiofrequency ablation vs. steroid injection, or see every option on our pain management treatments page.
Epidural Steroid Injections
For back pain that radiates into the buttock or leg from an irritated nerve root, including sciatica, disc problems and spinal stenosis.
Lumbar Facet Joint Injections
For low back, hip or buttock pain that worsens with standing, arching or twisting, and to help confirm the facet joints as the source.
Sacroiliac Joint Injections
For one-sided low back, hip, buttock or groin pain that flares with sitting, standing or stairs.
Radiofrequency Ablation
For joint-driven back pain after diagnostic blocks have confirmed the target, when you want relief that lasts longer than an injection.
Epidural Lysis of Adhesions
For pain after back surgery when scar tissue around the nerves keeps standard epidural injections from working.
Spinal Cord Stimulation
For chronic back and nerve pain that has outlasted medication, injections or surgery, always starting with a temporary trial.
Intrathecal Pain Pump Therapy
For carefully selected patients with severe chronic pain that oral medication has not controlled, after a trial dose.
When back pain is an emergency
Some back pain should not wait for a clinic appointment. Go to the emergency room or call 911 if back pain comes with loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin, inner thighs or buttocks (“saddle” numbness), or leg weakness that is getting worse.
These can be signs that the nerves at the base of the spine are being compressed, which needs urgent care. Our guide to spinal stenosis and cauda equina syndrome explains the difference.
Do I need a referral?
Often not. Many patients schedule directly with us, though some insurance plans require a referral from your primary care physician. Call (502) 995-4004 and our team will tell you what your plan needs before your first visit.
Kentuckiana Pain Specialists accepts 17+ insurance plans. For more on how referrals work, read why you may need a referral to see a pain specialist.
What patients say
“The Staff and Dr Nair are very knowledgeable and more than willing to to not stop until your pain is gone. After my injections I was able to walk short distances when before I wasn’t. Everyone is very nice and make you feel like they care. I would highly recommend!”
Tracy Zurn
Google review
Read more patient stories on our testimonials page.
Back pain FAQ
A pain specialist is a good first stop when back pain has lasted more than a few weeks, keeps coming back, or has not improved with rest, medication or physical therapy, and there are no emergency warning signs. The goal is to find which structure is causing the pain and treat it without surgery where that is possible. If your evaluation shows a problem that needs a surgeon, we will tell you.
When should I see a pain specialist instead of a surgeon for back pain?
A pain specialist is a good first stop when back pain has lasted more than a few weeks, keeps coming back, or has not improved with rest, medication or physical therapy, and there are no emergency warning signs. The goal is to find which structure is causing the pain and treat it without surgery where that is possible. If your evaluation shows a problem that needs a surgeon, we will tell you.
Ready when you are.
Find the Source.
Then Treat It.
Book a back pain evaluation at our Louisville or Radcliff clinic. We find where your pain starts, then match the treatment to it.
Prefer to talk? Call (502) 995-4004, answered 24/7.
Medically reviewed by Ajith Nair, M.D., Founder & Medical Director at Kentuckiana Pain Specialists. This page is for education and is not a substitute for a personalized medical consultation.
Last medically reviewed July 2026Updated