Back Pain & Sciatica Treatment in Seoul Diagnosed in English
Lower back pain, sciatica, herniated discs and spinal stenosis treated by spine specialists at Gangnam Nanoori Hospital — starting with non-surgical care and moving to minimally invasive endoscopic surgery only when you need it.
Gangnam Nanoori Hospital's Spine Center (731 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, near Hakdong Station Exit 10) diagnoses back pain with X-ray, MRI and nerve testing, then treats most patients without surgery — physical therapy, medication and image-guided injections. When a herniated disc or spinal stenosis does not improve, specialists offer minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery. English-speaking coordinators book visits by WhatsApp at +82-10-6290-9796.
What Causes Back Pain?
Most lower back pain comes from muscles, ligaments and joints and settles within a few weeks. Pain that spreads into the buttock or leg (sciatica), or that keeps coming back, usually points to a structural problem in the spine that needs a proper diagnosis.
Muscle & ligament strain
Lifting, twisting or long hours sitting. The most common cause, usually short-lived.
Herniated disc
Disc material pushes out and presses on a nerve root, causing leg pain and tingling.
Spinal stenosis
Narrowing of the spinal canal, often with age. Legs feel heavy or numb when walking.
Spondylolisthesis
One vertebra slips forward over another, causing instability and nerve irritation.
Compression fracture
Osteoporosis can let a vertebra collapse after a minor fall or even a cough.
Facet & SI joint pain
Arthritis in small spinal joints — worse when leaning back or standing long.
Symptoms & When to Get Help
Common symptoms
- Dull or sharp pain in the lower back
- Pain radiating to the buttock, thigh or calf (sciatica)
- Numbness, tingling or burning in the leg or foot
- Pain that worsens with sitting, bending or coughing
- Stiffness and trouble standing up straight
- Needing to rest after walking a short distance
Seek care urgently if you have
- New loss of bladder or bowel control
- Numbness around the groin or inner thighs
- Leg weakness that is getting worse
- Back pain with fever, after major trauma, or with a cancer history
These can signal nerve compression that needs same-day assessment. In a life-threatening emergency in Korea, call 119.
See a specialist if pain lasts longer than 4–6 weeks, keeps you awake at night or keeps returning. Neck pain with arm symptoms is covered on our neck pain page.
How We Diagnose Back Pain
Your first visit starts with a history and physical and neurological exam. Imaging is ordered only when it will change your treatment.
| Test | What it shows |
|---|---|
| X-ray | Alignment, slipped vertebrae, fractures and arthritis; standing films show instability. |
| MRI | Discs, nerves and the spinal canal — the key test for herniated disc and stenosis. |
| CT scan | Fine bone detail for fractures and surgical planning. |
| Nerve study (EMG/NCS) | Which nerve is affected and how badly, when symptoms are unclear. |
| Bone density (DEXA) | Osteoporosis risk in suspected compression fractures. |
Bring any recent scans from home — our specialists can review MRI files sent in advance by WhatsApp or email.
Back Pain Treatment Options
We follow a step-up approach: the least invasive treatment that can work comes first.
Medication & activity advice
Anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants for short periods, plus guidance on staying active rather than bed rest.
Physical therapy & rehabilitation
One-to-one therapy for core strength, posture and movement, with a home exercise plan you can continue after you leave Korea.
Image-guided injections & nerve blocks
Epidural steroid injections, selective nerve root blocks and medial branch blocks delivered under fluoroscopy to calm an inflamed nerve.
Neuroplasty & radiofrequency
Endoscopic epidural neuroplasty frees adhesions around the nerve; radiofrequency treatment targets painful facet joints.
Endoscopic spine surgery
For discs or stenosis that don't improve, biportal or full-endoscopic decompression works through small incisions with less muscle damage. How spine endoscopy works →
Fusion, when unavoidable
Reserved for severe instability or deformity, often using minimally invasive techniques.
What Decompression Changes
When a herniated disc presses on a nerve root, leg pain follows the path of that nerve. Endoscopic decompression removes only the fragment that is pressing — the rest of the disc stays in place.
Medical illustration for education only, not a patient image. Results vary by condition and individual; your specialist will explain expected recovery after reviewing your MRI.
Your Spine Specialists
Back pain at Nanoori is managed by neurosurgeons in the Spine Center who focus on endoscopic and minimally invasive spine care.
Dr. Jun Ho (Luke) Lee
Biportal endoscopy, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis.
Dr. Yun Kyo Jung
Endoscopic surgery, lumbar disc, sciatica, pain procedures.
Dr. Sang Su Choi
Lumbar disc, stenosis, nerve branch block.
Dr. Geon Ahn
Biportal endoscopy, disc and stenosis.
Video in Korean — ask our English-speaking team about anything you see.
Back Pain Questions
Do I need surgery for a herniated disc?
Usually not. Most herniated discs improve within 6–12 weeks with medication, physical therapy and, if needed, an epidural injection. Surgery is considered when leg pain persists despite treatment, weakness is getting worse, or bladder or bowel function is affected.
How long is recovery after endoscopic spine surgery?
Many patients walk the same day and go home after a short hospital stay. Desk work often resumes within 1–2 weeks, with heavier activity added gradually during rehabilitation. Your surgeon will give a timeline for your case.
Can I fly home after treatment in Seoul?
After injections most people can fly within a day or two. After surgery, your surgeon will confirm when it is safe to fly and give you a rehab plan and records in English to take home.
Can I get an MRI on my first visit?
Often yes, depending on scheduling. Tell our coordinator your travel dates on WhatsApp and we will try to arrange consultation and imaging on the same day.
Is back pain treatment covered by insurance?
Foreign residents enrolled in Korean National Health Insurance can use it here. We also work with international health insurance — send your policy details before your visit and we will explain billing documents.
What is the difference between sciatica and back pain?
Back pain stays in the lower back. Sciatica is nerve pain that travels from the buttock down the leg, usually from a herniated disc or stenosis pressing on a nerve root. Leg-dominant pain often needs an MRI to find the cause.
Send us your MRI. Get a specialist's view in English.
Share your symptoms and any scans on WhatsApp — our international team will tell you what to expect before you book.
Related Spine & Joint Care
Last updated October 2026. This page is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Contact us · Gangnam Nanoori Hospital home
