Most doctors treat lower back pain without knowing what’s actually causing it. At Deuk Spine Institute®, we identify the exact source of your pain – then eliminate it with a precise, minimally invasive procedure.
Diagnostic Accuracy
Complication
Rate
Procedures Performed
Infection
Rate
Your lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae (L1–L5), five intervertebral discs, ten paired facet joints, two sacroiliac joints, and the piriformis muscles. Together, these structures bear the majority of your body’s weight and allow the full range of lower back motion.
When a disc tears, a facet joint becomes inflamed, or the SI joint or piriformis is injured, the pain signals travel through the sinuvertebral nerve directly to your brain. The key is identifying exactly which structure is generating those signals.
There are 5 lumbar discs in the lower back. Discogenic pain is the most common cause of chronic lower back pain. Painful disc injuries account for 85% of all chronic lower back pain and typically involve the L4-5 and L5-S1 discs. Pain comes from chronic inflammation within the injured disc(s). Deuk Spine Institute can correctly diagnose the cause(s) of back pain with 99% accuracy.
There are 10 facet joints in the lower back. Injury to the facet joint(s) may cause inflammation and pain. Facet joint pain is the second most common cause of lower back pain. 10% of chronic lower back pain is "facetogenic".
There are 2 sacroiliac joints in the lower back. Sacroiliac joint pain is the third most common cause of chronic lower back pain. Painful SIJ injuries account for 3% of all chronic lower back pain. Pain comes from chronic inflammation within the injured sacroiliac joint. Deuk Spine Institute can correctly diagnose the cause(s) of back pain with 99% accuracy.
There are 2 piriformis muscles in the lower back. Piriformis muscle pain is the fourth most common cause of chronic lower back pain. Painful piriformis muscle injuries account for 2% of all chronic lower back pain. Pain comes from chronic inflammation within the injured piriformis muscle. Deuk Spine Institute can correctly diagnose the cause(s) of back pain with 99% accuracy.
There are 5 lumbar vertebral bodies in the lower back. Vertebral body pain is the fifth most common cause of chronic lower back pain. Painful vertebral body fractures account for less than 1% of all chronic lower back pain. Pain comes from chronic inflammation within the fractured vertebral body. These injuries are more common in people with osteoporosis. Deuk Spine Institute can correctly diagnose the cause(s) of back pain with 99% accuracy.
The coccyx is an uncommon but important cause of chronic lower back pain. Coccydynia is a painful coccyx ligament caused by trauma. The pain and tenderness from coccydynia is located just above the anus. Pain comes from chronic inflammation within the coccygeal ligament. Deuk Spine Institute can correctly diagnose the cause(s) of back pain with 99% accuracy.
Other causes of chronic lower back pain are rare and include infection, tumors and inflammatory diseases like ankylosing spondylitis and DISH. Deuk Spine Institute can correctly diagnose the cause(s) of back pain with 99% accuracy.
See what patients are saying about their experience, their recovery, and their results with our advanced spine treatments.
If you’ve lived with chronic lower back pain, you know the cycle. Pain medication that stops working. Injections that wear off. Physical therapy that helps but doesn’t fix anything. Maybe surgery – and you still hurt.
Standard MRIs and X-rays show structural changes - but cannot identify which structure is actually generating your pain. Without a precise diagnosis, surgeons treat broadly and guess.
Opioids, NSAIDs, and steroid injections suppress symptoms temporarily while the underlying problem progresses. You're numbing the pain, not healing the cause.
Traditional spinal fusion means fusing multiple vertebral levels and eliminating motion — because without a precise diagnosis, surgeons have no choice but to operate broadly.
Many patients experience the same pain post-fusion, returning to the same cycle — now with less spinal motion, more scar tissue, and the real cause still unresolved.
Let Deuk Spine Institute customize a treatment plan for your specific condition
Chronic lower back pain almost always originates from one or more of four anatomical sources. Identifying which combination you have is the entire key to getting fixed.
You may have more than one condition at once — each flaring on its own schedule. This is why Dr. Deukmedjian requires a comprehensive virtual consultation, not just an MRI review. A complete diagnosis is the only path to complete relief.
A torn or herniated disc triggers chronic inflammation that irritates surrounding nerves. This inflammation doesn’t self-resolve – it drives a continuous pain cycle for months or years. Most commonly affects L4–L5 and L5–S1.
When facet joints become inflamed or arthritic, they produce deep, localized pain – typically worse in the morning or after inactivity. Frequently underestimated on standard imaging and commonly misdiagnosed.
The SI joint connects your spine to your pelvis. Inflammation here produces lower back, buttock, and hip pain – routinely mistaken for disc problems. One of the most commonly missed diagnoses in spine medicine.
A deep buttock muscle lying directly over the sciatic nerve. When injured, it enters a repeating inflammation cycle, mimicking sciatica. Invisible on standard imaging — patients are often told they have a disc problem when this is the real cause.
A small percentage of chronic pain cases stem from vertebral fractures (most common in postmenopausal women and men with testosterone deficiency), spinal tumors, infections, and coccydynia – diagnosed via X-ray or MRI and treated separately at Deuk Spine Institute®.
Hear directly from patients who experienced Deuk Laser Disc Repair®. In these review videos, they share their stories, their recovery, and how the procedure helped relieve their lower back spine pain.
Standard imaging tells you what your spine looks like. It cannot tell you which structure is actually causing your pain. An MRI might show three herniated discs – but only one may be painful. A piriformis tear generating all your symptoms might not show at all.
Dr. Deukmedjian personally reviews every MRI alongside a detailed virtual physical examination – identifying the exact structures generating your pain, not just changes visible on imaging.
When you know exactly where the problem is, you don’t need broad, destructive surgery. Our procedures target your precise pain generator — 4–7mm incision, no fusion, same-day discharge.
Our proprietary laser procedure removes the exact portion of the cervical disc causing inflammation and pain — while preserving healthy tissue and maintaining full spinal motion. This procedure does not exist anywhere else. Dr. Deukmedjian is the only surgeon in the world who performs this patented procedure – backed by over 20 years of surgical innovation and 2750+ cases completed.
The laser seals blood vessels as we work, minimizing bleeding and promoting faster healing. By preserving disc structural integrity rather than removing it entirely, we eliminate the need for lumbar fusion.
Twilight
4-7mm
Never Required
None
24 Hours
Zero to Date
~20min / disc
99% Average
Instead of broad, invasive surgery, plasma technology allows us to treat only what’s causing your pain — through a 4mm incision, with no fusion and same-day discharge.
Our proprietary patented plasma procedure targets the pain nerves supplying arthritic lumbar facet joints — permanently eliminating the signal carrying pain to your brain without damaging surrounding tissue or destabilizing your spine.
Traditional medicine treats this with Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), which fails over 50% of the time and requires repeat treatments every 3–6 months. Our patients experience lifetime relief from a single procedure.
Twilight
~5 Minutes
99% vs. 50%
Lifetime
Rarely Needed
Zero to Date
None
Same Day
Our proprietary plasma procedure targets the pain nerves supplying the inflamed sacroiliac joint — permanently eliminating the signal carrying pain to your brain without damaging surrounding tissue or destabilizing your pelvis.
Traditional medicine treats SI joint pain with steroid injections (temporary) or SI joint fusion (destructive, hardware-dependent). Our patients experience lifetime relief from a single outpatient procedure — pioneered in 2023 by Dr. Deukmedjian.
Twilight
4mm
~30 Minutes
No Hardware
95%+
Zero to Date
None
1-3 Days
Our patented minimally invasive procedure releases the piriformis tendon through a 4mm incision — addressing the structural scar tissue compressing your sciatic nerve, not just masking symptoms.
Traditional open piriformis surgery (myotomy) requires a 4–6 inch incision, causes significant bleeding and disfigurement, and requires months of recovery. Our patients walk out the same day with dramatic pain relief within hours. Pioneered in 2024 by Dr. Deukmedjian and protected by U.S. Patent 12,290,301.
Twilight
4mm
~30 Minutes
4mm vs. 6 inch
99%
Zero to Date
None
Next Day
| Feature | Deuk Laser Disc Repair® | Traditional Surgery(Laminectomy / Fusion) |
|---|---|---|
| Anesthesia Type | Twilight | General |
| Incision Size | 4–7mm | Large, multi-inch |
| Spinal Fusion Required | Never | Often required |
| Hospital Stay | None — outpatient | Days to weeks |
| Recovery Time | 24 hours | 3–6 months |
| Spinal Motion Preserved | Yes — always | No — eliminated |
| Adjacent Segment Disease Risk | None | Very high |
| Infection Risk | Zero | High |
| Complication Rate | Zero to date | Up to 50%+ |
| Average Pain Relief | 99% | ~50% |
*Traditional surgery statistics represent published industry outcomes for laminectomy and spinal fusion procedures.
Upload your latest MRI for a free review and consultation with Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, creator of Deuk Laser Disc Repair®
Free MRI Reviews
DLDR® Procedures
Average Pain Relief
Of Innovation
Deuk Laser Disc Repair® and Deuk Plasma Rhizotomy® were developed by Dr. Deukmedjian and are exclusive to our institute. When you come to us, you’re getting access to the forefront of spine care.
0.01% overall complication rate. 0% infection rate. Zero complications to date on our laser and plasma procedures maintained through meticulous protocols refined over thousands of successful surgeries.
Getting expert spine care has never been easier – here’s how we guide you from pain to clarity.
Upload your MRI through our secure portal. Dr. Deukmedjian personally reviews your imaging alongside a detailed virtual physical examination. You leave with a clear diagnosis – probably for the first time.
Receive a specific diagnosis and customized treatment recommendation – not a generic protocol. A plan built around your exact pain generators, with honest answers about whether we can help.
Your procedure takes 20–45 minutes. You walk out the same day. Back to normal activity within 24 hours – not 3–6 months. No hospital stay. No fusion. Just relief.
You don’t need another treatment that masks your pain. You need to know exactly where it’s coming from – and someone who can fix it precisely. Over 45,000+ patients have trusted us with their spine care since 2004.
Your first step costs nothing. Our free MRI review gives you clear answers about your condition and whether our treatments can help. No sales pressure. No obligation. Just an honest assessment from one of the world’s leading spine surgeons.
No cost. No obligation. Dr. Deukmedjian personally reviews every case.
Patients Treated Since 2004
Our procedures have given thousands of patients lasting relief from chronic lower back pain when other treatments failed. Read their stories at our patient experience page.
Lower back pain treatment costs vary depending on your specific procedure and insurance coverage. Most major insurance plans are accepted; however, they do not cover all of the treatments we offer. Be sure to ask our staff if your procedure will be covered by your insurance. We provide transparent pricing and work with you to maximize your insurance benefits. After your free consultation, we’ll give you a clear understanding of costs before you commit to treatment. Our focus is removing financial barriers so you can get the care you need.
Average recovery time is 30 minutes to one hour before discharge. You will go home the same day. 90% of patients experience immediate pain relief; for 10%, it can take up to three months. Our surgeries require no rehab time. This contrasts sharply with traditional invasive spine surgery, which requires one to several days in the hospital for uncomplicated surgery and 3–6 months of rehabilitation.
You may be a candidate for Deuk Laser Disc Repair® if you have a herniated or bulging disc causing lower back pain, sciatica, or leg symptoms. The best way to determine candidacy is through our free MRI review process, where Dr. Deukmedjian personally evaluates your imaging and symptoms with our proprietary Deuk Spine Exam®. Conditions we commonly treat include herniated discs, bulging discs, radiculopathy, and sciatica that hasn’t responded to physical therapy, medications, or injections.
Deuk Spine Institute® offers proprietary patented procedures you cannot get anywhere else. Deuk Laser Disc Repair®, Deuk Plasma Rhizotomy®, and Deuk Piriformis Muscle Release® are exclusive techniques developed by Dr. Deukmedjian over 30 years of innovation. We’re not using generic laser spine surgery methods available at other centers. Our 0.01% complication rate, 0% infection rate, and 99% average pain relief set us apart. We’re a family-founded practice with over 45,000+ procedures since 2004.
Most patients who come to Deuk Spine Institute® do not need spinal fusion. Our minimally invasive procedures preserve spinal motion while addressing the underlying problem. Traditional surgeons often recommend fusion because their open surgical approach destabilizes the spine, requiring fusion to restore stability. Our techniques work around and preserve healthy tissue, eliminating the need for fusion in the vast majority of cases. During your consultation, we’ll explain exactly what your spine needs.
We frequently treat patients with failed back surgery syndrome who underwent unsuccessful traditional procedures. Our minimally invasive approach can often address problems that previous surgery either missed or created. During your free MRI review, Dr. Deukmedjian will evaluate your previous surgery, understand what went wrong, and determine if our procedures can help. Many patients who’ve had failed traditional surgery achieve excellent results with our approach.
Most major insurance plans are accepted; however, they do not cover all of the treatments we offer. Be sure to ask our staff if your procedure will be covered by your insurance. Our team works directly with your insurance company to verify benefits and maximize coverage. We provide transparent pricing and financial counseling to ensure you understand your costs before treatment. Don’t let insurance concerns prevent you from getting evaluated. We offer free virtual consultations. Our representatives will review your insurance coverage after a specific diagnosis and recommended treatment has been made by our team of providers.
Deuk Spine Institute® was founded in 2004 by Dr. Ara Deukmedjian and has been performing minimally invasive spine procedures for over 20 years. We’ve completed more than 2,750+ Deuk Laser Disc Repair® procedures and 1,000+ Deuk Plasma Rhizotomy® procedures. Dr. Deukmedjian has spent two decades refining these proprietary techniques, and our experience shows in our exceptional outcomes and safety record. You’re not getting an experimental treatment — you’re getting procedures perfected over thousands of successful surgeries.
You’ve lived with pain long enough. You’ve tried treatments that don’t work. There is a better way. Deuk Spine Institute® offers proprietary minimally invasive procedures that fix the underlying problem causing your pain. You’ll go home the same day. You’ll return to normal activities within days. And you’ll finally have your life back.
Over 200,000 patients have trusted us with their spine care since 2004. Our 0.01% complication rate, 0% infection rate, and 99% average pain relief speak for themselves.
Your first step costs nothing. Our free MRI review gives you clear answers about your condition and whether our treatments can help. No sales pressure. No obligation. Just an honest assessment from one of the world’s leading spine surgeons.
