Back Pain Specialists

See a doctor who treats the cause, not just your pain. Advanced diagnostics and a full range of advanced interventional and conservative options, all under one roof.

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It started with a tweak you figured would pass. Months later, you're still planning your day around it. You've tried rest, stretching, PT, maybe a muscle relaxer, maybe an injection. You've been told it's "just" arthritis, "just" a bulging disc, "just" something to live with.

Back pain is almost always treatable, but only if somebody actually figures out what's driving it. Disc, facet joint, nerve, ligament laxity, muscle pain, or a combination — they look similar on paper but need entirely different treatments. Generic back care is why so many patients end up cycling through clinics without getting better.

OUR APPROACH

Specialist-level back care

Diagnosis first, every time

Before we recommend a procedure or a therapy, we isolate the actual pain generator. That means a careful exam, dynamic imaging review, and in complicated cases, diagnostic injections that can identify your specific pain generator. Treating the wrong structure is the single biggest reason back pain comes back.

The right treatment for your specific cause

A facet joint problem needs different treatment than a disc problem, which needs different treatment than a ligament laxity problem. We treat based on what's actually wrong, not a flowchart.

Full spectrum of options

From physical therapy, chiropractic care, and shockwave to advanced regenerative procedures like platelet rich plasma, stem cells, and decompressions. The option that fits your case, not whatever the clinic happens to do.

HOW IT WORKS

Your first visit

Full history, including prior imaging, injections, and procedures
Careful physical and neurological exam
Review of MRI, CT, and dynamic X-ray imaging
In-office diagnostic ultrasound
A clear explanation of which structure we believe is driving your pain
A staged plan — starting with the least invasive option that fits your case

Doctor treating patient with spondylosis

WHAT WE TREAT

Back conditions we treat

Disc herniation and bulging discs
Targeted injections can calm nerve irritation, and focused rehab addresses the mechanical factors. Surgery is rarely the first or best answer.
Degenerative disc disease
Platelet rich plasma can strengthen the ligaments supporting the spine, improving the functional unit of the back to decrease pain and improve function. In some cases, the Intracept procedure, specifically designed for vertebrogenic low back pain, can be a meaningful option.
Facet joint pain
Often missed by generic workups. Confirmed with diagnostic blocks and treated definitively with platelet rich plasma or radiofrequency ablation for long-term relief.
Lumbar spondylosis (spinal arthritis)
Managed with a combination of targeted procedures, physical therapy, and medication support as appropriate.
Sciatica and radiculopathy
Nerve pain radiating into the leg needs precise diagnosis — which level, which nerve. Image-guided injections combined with focused rehab resolve most cases.
Spinal stenosis
Epidural injections, interventional procedures, and in select cases spinal cord stimulation can provide substantial relief without surgery.
SI joint dysfunction
Commonly missed. Diagnostic SI injections confirm the source, and treatment options range from therapeutic injections and radiofrequency to minimally invasive SI joint fusion.
Post-surgical back pain
Pain that persists after spine surgery has specific causes and specific treatments. We frequently help patients who thought their options had run out.
Muscle strain and myofascial pain
Trigger point injections, targeted PT, and soft tissue therapies address the muscular component that compounds almost every back problem.

PRECISE FIT

Is Compass the right place for your back?

You're a good fit if

Your back pain has lasted more than a few weeks
Rest, PT, or medications haven’t given lasting relief
You’ve been told you may need back surgery but want other options explored thoroughly first
You’ve had back surgery and still have pain
You want a real diagnosis — not another round of the same generic treatment

Doctor examining patient with failed back surgical syndrome

You should see a surgeon urgently if

You have sudden, severe weakness in your legs
You lose bowel or bladder control
You have progressive numbness in the saddle area
These are medical emergencies. Go to an ER.

WHY COMPASS

Why back pain patients come to us

Diagnostic precision

Most back pain patients we see have seen multiple providers without a clear diagnosis. We use the full toolkit — clinical exam, imaging review, ultrasound, and diagnostic injections — to isolate the pain source before treating it.

Every procedure, image-guided

Every interventional procedure we do — regenerative epidurals, facet injections, radiofrequency, nerve blocks, SI injections — is done under fluoroscopy and/or ultrasound. Not because it’s fancy; because it’s the difference between medicine landing where it needs to and not.

A clear, staged plan

We start with the least invasive option that’s likely to work, then progress only if needed. No jumping to surgery. No stacking procedures without a plan. Every step has a purpose.

Honest about limits

If you truly need surgery, we’ll tell you and refer you to the right surgeon. If something isn’t treatable with the tools we have, we’ll say that too.

from pain to wellness

Real Patient success stories

Here’s how our clients have experienced profound healing and personal growth through our services.

Peter Bowman

I came for a massage with Megan at Compass, Megan is amazing she has helped me over come many back and shoulder injuries, she is the best in her field. Everyone at compass front desk is very nice and helpful. Great experience.

Christi

Inviting, calm environment. Helpful staff. Incredibly patient, informative & empathetic doctor. I’m so excited to have been referred here & look forward to continuing my care with Compass Pain & Wellness!

Abby Timmons

I was pleasantly surprised with how quickly I was seen and how much the physical therapy and massage treatments actually helped with my shoulder pain. Everyone is knowledgeable and super nice!

Jordan Schwartz

After a recent car accident, they’ve taken incredible care of me. The team is compassionate, professional, and truly focused on helping me manage and recover from my pain. I always feel heard and supported during each visit. Highly recommend to anyone dealing with injury-related pain or looking for a wellness-focused clinic that truly cares.

amanda bausk

I have back discomfort and wanted to try trigger point injections again. I had my first appointment with Dr. Balog and he was fantastic. He was very kind and detail oriented in gathering my medical history. The trigger point injections gave me relief and the process was easy. Everyone in the office was very friendly and the scheduling process was painless. I will be going back in the future for more injections. Definitely reccomend!

Dayna Craig

I had the best treatment and care that I have ever received for the pain I’ve been experiencing. Prior doctors I’ve been to have only treated symptoms, but never the root cause. The doctors here thoroughly went through my history, trying to discover the medical cause of my pains versus simply attempting to treat the symptoms. I cannot recommend enough.

Leslie SLC

First visit left me with a game plan & 1st/2nd steps that totally made sense. (I felt all relevant info was gathered, and based on my layperson’s research, this plan was appropriately paced & outlined.) Very impressed by Dr Peterson, his PA and Office Mgr. All were generous with their time & answered my questions without rushing me.

Maria Mercedes Martinez

They are amazing—friendly, professional, and trustworthy! Dr. Petterson and Dr. Welch are truly the best. The whole team—Andrea, Miranda, Megan, and Jesse—are all wonderful and make every visit a great experience!

Kevin Kahl

I have been treating with Dr. Reed for a couple months now for my shoulder pain. Both her and the staff are very friendly and I like how she is up front with honest advice along with my treatment options. I have regained more mobility, so it is working !

Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 53 reviews

about us

what makes us different?

At Compass, treating pain is personal.

We’ve all had family members, friends, or loved ones struggle to get the answers they need. Doctors are short on time, and often short on knowledge. We take care to listen to your concerns and use the most advanced diagnostics to find the right treatment for you.

learn more about what makes us different