Back & Pelvic Pain
From disc problems to pelvic misalignment, we address back issues at their root
Back pain is one of the most common yet most complex types of pain. It can stem from many sources, such as the disc, muscles, joints, or nerves, and without an accurate diagnosis, treatment rarely works.
Back pain has many possible causes
The causes of back pain fall into three broad categories.
Structural Problems
Disc herniation, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and more
Usually shows up on MRI
Functional Problems
Fascial tension, impaired joint function, faulty movement patterns
Usually doesn’t show up on MRI
Alignment Problems
Pelvic misalignment, leg-length difference, postural imbalance
Found through functional testing
At Yonsei SM Pain Clinic, we evaluate all three causes to build an effective treatment plan.
Main Conditions
Herniated Disc
A bulging disc presses on a nerve, causing back pain, leg numbness, and pain radiating down the leg.
Learn More →Chronic Low Back Pain
Back pain lasting more than 3 months. In many cases the pain persists even when the MRI looks normal.
Learn More →Pelvic Misalignment
A pelvis tilted side to side or front to back triggers pain in the lower back, hips, and even the legs.
Learn More →Sacroiliac Pain
Pain in the sacral area at the back of the pelvis that worsens when sitting for long periods or standing up.
Learn More →Spinal Stenosis
When the spinal canal narrows and compresses the nerves, walking brings on leg numbness that eases with rest, neurogenic claudication.
Learn More →Sciatica
Pain radiating from the buttock down through the thigh, calf, and to the foot. It characteristically worsens when coughing or sneezing.
Learn More →Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
One-sided pain at the boundary between the lower back and the top of the buttock. It worsens when rising from sitting and when climbing stairs.
Learn More →Piriformis Syndrome
The piriformis muscle deep in the pelvis compresses the sciatic nerve, causing buttock pain and leg numbness. It worsens when sitting for long periods.
Learn More →Do you have these symptoms?
My back is stiff in the morning
When you get up after sleeping, your back feels stiff and it’s hard to bend over.
My leg feels numb and tight
You feel numbness or tightness running from the back into the buttock and down the back of the leg.
It hurts when I sit too long
When you stand up after sitting, your back is stiff and won’t straighten right away.
It hurts when I bend over
The pain is severe when you bend forward or lift something.
My buttock hurts
The buttock hurts more than the back, and sometimes only on one side.
My legs feel heavy when I walk
Even a short walk makes your legs heavy or numb, forcing you to rest.
Treatment Methods
Circulation Therapy
In three stages, we bring the swelling down, wake the muscles up, and make the movement stick, restoring blocked circulation and release tight fascia and joints.
Learn More →Circulation HD
A procedure injecting around the nerve to relieve nerve compression and resolve fascial adhesions.
Learn More →Circulation PT
We restore the back’s stability through core muscle activation and correction of pelvic alignment.
Learn More →Hip Hinge Pattern Correction
In many cases, back pain arises not from the back itself but from not using the hip joint properly. In Circulation PT, you learn the hip hinge pattern to reduce the load on your back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Back & Pelvic Pain Consultation
We provide an accurate diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan.
3F Cheongdam Building, 413 Hakdong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (3 min walk from Gangnam-gu Office Station, Exit 4)