What Can Cause Back Pain

Back pain does not have one single cause. Two people can feel pain in the same area but need completely different treatment approaches.

Common causes and contributing factors include:

Muscle or Ligament Strain:

Lifting, twisting, exercising, repetitive activity, or a sudden movement can strain the muscles and connective tissues surrounding the spine. This may cause localized pain, muscle tightness, or difficulty changing positions.

Herniated or Bulging Discs:

The discs between the vertebrae help absorb force and support movement. When a disc becomes irritated or changes position, it may contribute to back pain, stiffness, or symptoms that travel into the buttock or leg.

Sciatica and Nerve Irritation:

Sciatica describes pain associated with irritation or compression of nerves originating in the lower back. Symptoms may include burning pain, tingling, numbness, or discomfort that travels through the buttock and down the leg.

Sacroiliac Joint Pain:

The sacroiliac, or SI, joints connect to the pelvis to the spine. Irritation or movement dysfunction in this area may cause pain on one side of the lower back, near the tailbone, or into the buttock or hip.

Degenerative Disc Disease and Arthritis:

Normal age-related changes can affect the discs and joints of the spine. Although these changes may appear on imaging, they do not always explain the full picture. Strength, mobility, movement mechanics, and activity tolerance also play an important role.

Spinal Stenosis:

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces around the spinal nerves. It may cause back pain, leg pain, leg discomfort, numbness, or heaviness, especially during prolonged standing or walking.

Mobility Restrictions and Muscle Imbalances:

Limited hip mobility, reduced spinal movement, core weakness, muscle tension, or poor movement control can place additional stress on the lower back. These problems may become more noticeable during lifting, running, squatting, sitting, or other repeated activities.