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Opening December 1, 2027 in Bethesda, MD · Now scheduling new patients

Propel Sports and Orthobiologics
Request an Appointmentfrontdesk@propelsportsortho.com

Neck and back pain · Bethesda, MD

Neck and back pain treatment in Bethesda, MD

We treat sciatica, disc, facet, and sacroiliac pain, and stenosis, with rehab, guided injections, nerve ablation, and minimally invasive procedures.
Request an AppointmentCommon causesNeck and Back services

Email frontdesk@propelsportsortho.com or call (301) 200-9025

What causes neck and back pain?

Pain that shoots down the leg or arm suggests a pinched nerve. Pain across the low back that is worse with bending backward often comes from the facet joints. Pain near the dimples of the low back points to the sacroiliac joint, and leg pain with walking that eases when you sit or lean forward suggests spinal stenosis.

Most back pain improves with the right exercise and time. When it does not, diagnostic injections can confirm the source before a longer-lasting treatment.

When to see an orthopedic doctor for neck and back pain

  • Back or neck pain lasting more than a few weeks
  • Pain, numbness, or tingling down an arm or leg
  • Pain that limits sleep, work, or walking
  • Back pain that keeps returning
  • Ongoing pain after spine surgery

Get urgent care instead if you have

  • New loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the groin or inner thighs (go to the emergency department)
  • Rapidly worsening leg or arm weakness
  • Back pain with fever, unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer
  • Back pain after a significant fall or accident

Common causes of neck and back pain

Each page covers symptoms, how we diagnose it, and your treatment options.

Radiculopathy and SciaticaA pinched spinal nerve that sends pain, numbness, or tingling into the arm or leg.Facet Joint PainNeck or back pain from arthritis of the small joints that link the vertebrae.Sacroiliac Joint PainLow back or buttock pain from the joint where the spine meets the pelvis.Discogenic Low Back PainBack pain coming from a worn, damaged, or herniated disc.Vertebrogenic Low Back PainChronic low back pain that comes from the vertebrae themselves, often alongside disc wear.Lumbar Spinal StenosisA narrowed spinal canal that causes leg pain or heaviness with standing and walking.Persistent Pain After Spine SurgeryBack or leg pain that continues after spine surgery.CoccydyniaPain at the tailbone, often worse with sitting.

Neck and back pain treatment options

ProlotherapyProlotherapyInjections, usually of a dextrose solution, that prompt the body's own repair response in ligaments and tendons.EMG / NCSEMG and Nerve Conduction Study with UltrasoundNerve and muscle testing, combined with nerve ultrasound, to pinpoint the cause of numbness, tingling, or weakness.Guided InjectionsUltrasound-Guided Joint and Tendon InjectionsOffice-based injections placed under live ultrasound, so the medicine reaches the exact structure that hurts.Nerve ModulationNerve ModulationNerve blocks and stimulators, including peripheral nerve and spinal cord stimulation, that quiet the nerves carrying pain so rehab can move forward.Joint DenervationJoint DenervationTreats the nerves that carry pain from the knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, wrist, sacroiliac joint, foot, or plantar fascia; an option for people delaying or avoiding joint replacement.Epidural InjectionsEpidural Steroid InjectionsAnti-inflammatory medication placed near irritated spinal nerves to ease neck, back, arm, or leg pain.Facet TreatmentFacet Joint Injections and Radiofrequency AblationNumbs, then if appropriate quiets with heat, the nerves of the small joints along the spine.SI Joint InjectionSacroiliac Joint InjectionAn injection into the joint where the spine meets the pelvis.IntradiscalIntradiscal InjectionsPlaces supportive material, including orthobiologics or ViaDisc, into a painful spinal disc.SCS / DRGSpinal Cord and DRG StimulationImplanted stimulators that send mild signals to the spinal cord or specific nerve roots to reduce chronic pain.MILDMILD (Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression)An outpatient procedure that relieves lumbar spinal stenosis by removing excess tissue through a tiny opening.IntraceptBasivertebral Nerve Ablation (Intracept)Quiets the nerve inside the vertebra that drives certain types of chronic low back pain.Rehab PlanningRehabilitation and Return-to-Activity PlanningA strength-first plan, coordinated with your physical therapist, that sets clear milestones for getting back to training, work, and sport.

Questions about neck and back pain

What kind of doctor should I see for back pain?
For most back and neck pain, a physiatrist or interventional spine and pain physician is a strong first choice. Propel's spine care is led by Dr. Chen, who is board certified in PM&R and pain medicine, and refers to a spine surgeon when surgery is needed.
Do I need an MRI for back pain?
Not usually in the first weeks. An MRI is helpful when pain persists despite good care, when there is significant nerve involvement or weakness, or when a procedure is being planned.
Can sciatica be treated without surgery?
Most sciatica improves with time, activity, and rehab. Image-guided epidural injections can calm a flare, and surgery is considered for persistent weakness or pain that does not respond.

What to expect at your visit

  1. 1.

    We listen first

    Your visit opens with a real conversation: how the problem started, what you have already tried, and the activity you want back.

  2. 2.

    Exam and in-office ultrasound

    A hands-on exam, then ultrasound at the exam table, often while you move, so your physician can see the tendon, joint, or nerve involved.

  3. 3.

    A clear diagnosis and plan

    You leave knowing what is wrong and what your options are, from strength-based rehab to procedures, and why we recommend each one.

  4. 4.

    Treatment and follow-through

    Most procedures happen here in the office. We coordinate with your physical therapist and check progress against the goals you set.

Opening December 1, 2027

Ready to get back in motion?

We are scheduling new patients now. Book an evaluation to find out what is causing your pain and how to treat it.

Request an AppointmentCall (301) 200-9025

Call the front desk

(301) 200-9025

frontdesk@propelsportsortho.com
Fax (301) 664-1148

Email frontdesk@propelsportsortho.com

Call (301) 200-9025Request