When a nerve becomes pinched or compressed in the lower back, the resulting pain can be sharp, persistent, and deeply disruptive. Everyday activities—sitting at your desk, sleeping through the night, or even standing and walking—can become uncomfortable. In severe cases, they’re nearly impossible. For many people, this kind of pain affects not only your body, but your mood, energy, and overall quality of life.
According to the World Health Organization, lower back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting millions of people who could benefit from thoughtful, personalized rehabilitation. It’s a condition that deserves attention and care, not simply patience or temporary fixes.
The good news is that relief doesn’t always require surgery. Non-surgical treatments for a pinched nerve can help reduce pain, restore function, and improve long-term mobility by addressing the root causes rather than just masking symptoms. In this article, we explore five non-invasive approaches that may help you restore your comfort, confidence, and enjoyment of your daily life.
What Is a Pinched Nerve in the Lower Back?
A pinched nerve occurs when the surrounding tissue–whether muscle, disc, or bone—puts pressure on the nerve, causing compression or irritation.
The lower back is particularly vulnerable to pinched nerves as it supports much of your body’s weight and movement. Everyday strain, degenerative changes, or structural shifts in the spine can all lead to nerve compression. Factors such as being overweight, maintaining poor posture, or repetitive movements can also increase your risk of developing a pinched nerve in this area.
What Causes a Pinched Nerve?
Several factors can contribute to a pinched nerve in the lower back, including herniated discs, bone spurs or spinal stenosis, muscle tightness, and even lifestyle factors like poor posture and being overweight.
The risk of a pinched nerve typically increases with age. Most cases occur when the patient is in their early 50s, but a pinched nerve can happen any time. At Meeting Point Health, we’ve seen everyone from college athletes to grandparents suffering from the condition.
Below, we break down usual causes of pinched nerves.
Herniated or Bulging Discs
Discs are soft, gel-like cushions that sit between the vertebrae in your spine. When a disc bulges or herniates, it can press on nearby spinal nerves. This compression irritates the nerve, causing pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness that often radiates out through the arms or legs, following the nerve’s pathway.
Bone Spurs or Spinal Stenosis
Bone spurs are small bony growths that can develop on vertebrae due to aging or arthritis. Spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal. Both conditions reduce the space available for nerves. When nerves are squeezed or compressed in these tight spaces, it can trigger sharp, shooting pain, numbness, or weakness along the areas the nerves serve.
Muscle Tightness or Injury
Injury or overuse can cause the muscles around the spine to become tight, strained, or even spasm. Tight or inflamed muscles can press against nearby nerves or alter spinal alignment, indirectly increasing nerve pressure. This can result in localized pain or radiating nerve symptoms similar to those caused by disc or bone issues.
Lifestyle Factors
Poor posture, prolonged sitting, repetitive movements, sedentary habits, and excess weight can all contribute to the pain of a pinched nerve.
For example:
- Slouching can shift spinal alignment, squeezing nerves.
- Sitting long hours can compress discs and tighten muscles.
- Repetitive motions can inflame the tissues surrounding nerves.
- Extra body weight adds stress to the spine, increasing the risk of disc bulges or nerve impingement.
Over time, these highly manageable factors can make the spine more susceptible to pinched nerves and chronic discomfort.
These Signs and Symptoms Could Indicate A Pinched Nerve
Symptoms of a pinched nerve include:
- Sharp, burning, or radiating pain along the nerve
- Pain that worsens with bending, lifting, or sudden movements like sneezing
- Tingling or “pins and needles” sensations
- Numbness or reduced feeling in the affected area
- Trouble walking, standing, or lifting objects
- Loss of mobility
The pain of a pinched nerve is often worse at night and when lying down.
It can be difficult at times to distinguish a pinched nerve from a minor muscle injury. Mild muscle strains often cause an aching pain, but rarely numbness or tingling. They also typically improve with rest. If your back feels like it’s “falling asleep” or your pain doesn’t resolve with rest, a pinched nerve may be the cause.
When to Seek Medical Care
In mild cases, home remedies may help with the symptoms of a pinched nerve. Heat and ice therapy, over the counter pain medications, and gentle stretches may temporarily ease your discomfort. Lifestyle adjustments, such as moving more, maintaining good posture, or reducing repetitive motions, can also improve symptoms.
However, if your pain is severe or persistent, or if you’re experiencing progressive weakness that gets worse over time, make an appointment to speak with Dr. Steve Matta at Meeting Point Health. Getting a professional diagnosis—and expert treatment—early can help to avoid long-term nerve damage and give you lasting relief.
Schedule a discovery call with Meeting Point Health.
How We Diagnose if a Pinched Nerve is Causing Your Back Pain
At Meeting Point Health, we always start with a thorough assessment of your concerns. Our team will discuss your medical history, complete a physical exam, and perform ultrasound diagnostics to determine the root cause of your pain. In addition, we will evaluate all of your symptoms, mobility limitations, and any previous injuries.
The physical exam includes orthopedic, functional movement, and neurokinetic assessments, which use manual muscle tests to determine if your muscles respond appropriately. Using ultrasound, we can examine the internal structures of the back in order to identify the root cause of your discomfort and develop a personalized treatment plan to give you relief.
Non-Invasive Treatment Options for a Pinched Nerve in the Lower Back
As a leader in advanced, non-surgical approaches to pinched nerves, Meeting Point Health in Philadelphia offers a variety of non-surgical treatment options as part of a holistic, individualized wellness plan.
Listed in the chart below are some of the most common treatments we use to relieve the pain of a compressed nerve. These are not all of the services offered at our practice to treat lower back pain, but each one is intended to support your total healing, giving you relief that lasts.
| Treatment Option | How It Works | When It’s a Good Option | How to Learn More |
| Prolotherapy & PRP Therapy | Injections stimulate the body’s natural healing response; PRP uses platelets from your own blood to repair tissues and reduce inflammation. | Chronic ligament or tendon injuries, degenerative changes, or when strengthening tissue around the nerve can relieve pressure. | Prolotherapy for back pain PRP therapy for back pain |
| Stem Cell Therapy | Uses donated umbilical cord tissue from live, healthy births to regenerate damaged tissue, reduce inflammation, and support long-term healing. | For more advanced degeneration, disc issues, or persistent nerve compression where regenerative support is needed. | Stem cell therapy for back pain |
| Nerve Hydrodissection | Fluid is carefully injected around a nerve to separate it from surrounding tissue, reducing entrapment and irritation. | When pain, tingling, or numbness is caused by nerves being compressed or “stuck” in tight tissue. | Nerve Hydrodissection for back pain |
| Acupuncture | Fine needles are placed at targeted points to reduce pain signals, improve circulation, and relax tight muscles. | Useful for muscle-related compression, reducing tension, and as a complementary therapy alongside regenerative treatments. | Acupuncture for back pain |
Learn more about back pain treatment in Philadelphia.
Next Steps: Finding the Right Back Pain Doctor in Philadelphia
If you’re struggling with the pain, immobility, and limited life of a pinched nerve, you need a permanent, long-term solution.
Meeting Point Health’s philosophy is rooted in a holistic, patient-centered approach. We believe in addressing the root causes of your pain, not just the symptoms. Each patient receives a custom, integrative plan based on their individual concerns, medical history, and goals. For pinched nerves, that plan may include one of the treatment options noted above, along with physical therapy, acupuncture, or other treatments intended to support your overall healing and wellbeing.
Led by Dr. Stephen Matta, a triple board-certified physician with expertise in Family Medicine, Sports Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy, Meeting Point Health is the leading integrative health provider in Philadelphia. Dr. Matta is a faculty member at the SSRP Institute and both he and Mary Anne Matta are SSRP Fellows in cellular medicine, allowing them to understand—and treat—the causes of your pinched nerve at the cellular level.
To learn more, schedule a discovery call or request more information from our team today.
Additional Questions About Pinched Nerve Pain
Below are some common questions about pinched nerve pain that we get from patients.
How do you fix a pinched nerve in your back?
Relief for a pinched nerve in the lower back comes from addressing the root cause, whether a herniated disc, inflammation, or repetitive strain. Treating the source of compression allows the nerve to heal and symptoms to improve.
What does a pinched nerve in the lower back feel like?
The pain of a pinched nerve in the lower back may be sharp, aching, or burning. Many patients struggle with standing or completing daily tasks, and simple movements can become challenging.
How long does it take to heal a lower back pinched nerve?
The time required to heal from a lower back pinched nerve depends on its cause, and complete healing may range from a few weeks to a few months. Relief from a pinched nerve requires treating the underlying cause, whether that is a structural concern like a herniated disc or due to factors requiring a lifestyle change.
What can be mistaken for a pinched nerve?
The symptoms of pinched nerves are commonly confused for muscle strains, arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, or multiple sclerosis. A comprehensive evaluation and exam can help to determine whether your pain is the result of a pinched nerve, a sore muscle, or something else.
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Reviews from our Patients
Tina Forst
Jan 17, 2024
“I had been struggling for about the last 5 or so years with recurring sciatic pain flare ups and was never able to find what was causing the pain and never anything more than a band-aid fix. September 2023 I came across Meeting Point Health who was able to figure out where my issue was stemming from and provide a treatment program to resolve it. I felt an improvement after the first couple sessions and now after 12 weeks I feel like a totally different person. I finally feel like I have regained functional muscle in that leg and have seen quite an improvement in my overall range of motion. Forever thankful for Dr. Matta & everyone at Meeting Point Health!”
Carolyn Siliquini
Dec 7, 2023
“I spent 23 years sick and in pain. I had surgery in every section of my spine. I went to many different doctors trying to find relief or an answer to what was causing my pain. Meeting Point changed my life. I can finally say I feel good and really mean it. My joint pain is better, I have more energy, my low back does not hurt for the first time since 2016! Thank you Dr. Matta, Maryann, and all the staff at Meeting Point for giving me hope.”
Justine F
September 10, 2023
“I first came to Meeting Point Health in the spring of 2022 when I was 34. I came to both Dr. Matta and Mary Anne with chronic pain that left me almost completely incapacitated and unable to move. Since 2018 I had tried chiropractors, 4 different physical therapists, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, consulted with neurologists, orthopedics, pain management, and eventually, resigned myself to getting back surgery in Nov. 2021. Two months after that the pain was back and I was told I’d need a spinal fusion. At my wit’s end, I finally threw myself in to researching alternative medicine. I’d heard about Functional Medicine a few years prior and decided to learn more, but having grown up with a western medicine nurse as a mom I’ll admit I was very uncertain. But at this point, I would do anything to avoid another back surgery let alone a spinal fusion.
Cue the Mattas.
It started with Dr. Stephen Matta. After one appointment that lasted almost an hour and a half, I felt in my gut that working with him was the right decision. The science was there (and explained to me in ways I understood with every question I had very patiently answered) as was the overwhelming confidence and trust in Dr. Matta as a practitioner; and so the willingness to take a small leap of faith in something I was unfamiliar with felt less daunting and more hopeful.
After completing his treatment plan, within two months I was walking without pain again. Within six months, I was pursuing my normal activities. Almost 18 months later, I’m completely pain free, physically strong, confident and have my life back.
It wasn’t just Dr Matta though. It was Mary Anne as well. They are a team in every sense of the word. Dr Matta is in charge of the structure, Mary Anne was in charge of the internal mechanics. With her help and the help of the Meeting Point Health team, I not only discovered I had multiple chronic illnesses, including Lyme disease, but I found treatment for it with IV therapy. No antibiotics, no prescriptions, it was natural – supplements, vitamins, minerals, ozone and glutathione. Under her care and supervision (not to mention the amazing individuality I experienced with her) I experienced vitality and clarity of mind, the likes of which I didn’t even know existed.
I continue to work with them to this day and will continue so long as I live in this area. There is a place for Western medicine, but Functional Medicine is the present and future and Meeting Point Health is at the cutting edge. I know enough about modern medicine to know it is a relatively new science, and therefore continually evolving every day with new discoveries and connections emerging all the time – it became quite clear to me very quickly, that Mary Anne and Dr Matta continually educate themselves through conferences, coursework, seminars. They ARE cutting edge. Your health is their priority, and if they don’t have the answer, they won’t stop until they do.
I know that when I was searching for physicians to help me where no one else could, I read reviews and testimonials like crazy. I hope this serves those reading this well in making a decision to work with MPH.
You won’t regret it.”