Low Back Pain Care for Adults

Low back pain is discomfort, soreness, or stiffness in the lower part of the spine, the region that carries much of the body’s weight and movement. It is one of the most common health complaints in adults, affecting about 8 out of 10 people at some point in their lives. Pain may be acute, coming on suddenly and lasting days to weeks, or chronic, persisting for three months or longer. Avita MD primary care providers diagnose and manage low back pain for adults in Los Altos, Mountain View, and Los Gatos.

What are the symptoms of low back pain?

Low back pain can feel different from person to person. Common signs include:

• Aching, soreness, or stiffness in the lower back
• Sharp or shooting pain that may travel into the buttock, hip, or leg
• Muscle tightness or spasms
• Pain that worsens with bending, lifting, sitting, or standing
• Reduced flexibility or trouble moving freely

Most episodes ease as the back heals. Pain that radiates down a leg or comes with numbness or weakness deserves closer attention.

How does Avita MD diagnose and treat low back pain?

At Avita MD, evaluation begins with your history and a focused physical examination to identify the likely cause and rule out anything serious. Many causes are mechanical, such as muscle strain, a herniated disc, or spinal stenosis, and most do not require imaging at the first visit. We order an X-ray or MRI when warning signs are present or when pain does not improve as expected. Same-day and next-day appointments mean a new or worsening back problem can be seen quickly rather than waiting.

Treatment is tailored to the cause. For most people it includes staying gently active, using heat or cold, and taking appropriate pain relievers, since prolonged bed rest can slow recovery. We track your progress over time through longitudinal records and adjust the plan as needed. When pain is persistent or complex, we coordinate referrals to physical therapy, pain management, or a spine specialist and follow up on the results.

The table below shows when self-care is usually reasonable and when to see a provider.

Self-care is usually reasonable	See a provider
Mild to moderate pain after lifting or activity	Pain that is severe or lasts more than a few days
Pain that improves day by day	Pain that does not improve or keeps returning
No numbness, weakness, or fever	Numbness, weakness, fever, or pain after an injury

When should you see a doctor about low back pain?

Contact Avita MD if your low back pain is severe, lasts more than a few days, or keeps coming back. Some symptoms are red flags that warrant prompt evaluation. Seek care right away if you have new loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin or inner thighs, weakness or numbness in a leg, an unexplained fever, unexplained weight loss, or back pain that follows a fall, accident, or other trauma. These can point to a condition that needs urgent assessment. For everyday back pain, an Avita MD primary care provider can evaluate the cause, guide your recovery, and arrange further testing or specialist care when it is needed.