Lower Back Pain

The causes of low back pain can be very complex, and there are many structures in the spine that can cause pain. Any of the following parts of spinal anatomy are typical sources of low back pain:

• The large nerve roots in the low back that go to the legs and arms may be irritated
• The smaller nerves that innervate the spine in the low back may be irritated
• The large paired lower back muscles (erector spinae) may be strained
• The bones, ligaments or joints may be damaged
• The intervertebral disc may be damaged

Sometimes there is a neurological component, such as leg or foot weakness or numbness, as well.
It is important to note that many types of low back pain actually have no known anatomical cause; but this doesn’t mean that the pain doesn’t exist. The patient’s pain generator may not be identifiable, but this does not necessarily signify that the pain is all psychosomatic. Actually, an estimated 90% of patients with pain will not have an identifiable cause of their pain.