While there are many causes of low back pain, most cases of low back pain can typically be linked to either a general cause, such as muscle strain, or a specific and diagnosable condition, such as degenerative disc disease. In the US, low back pain is one of the most common conditions and one of the leading causes of visits to the chiropractor. In fact, at least four out of five adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lives.
Ironically, with low back pain the severity of the pain is often unrelated to the extent of physical damage. For example, muscle spasm from a simple back strain can cause excruciating back pain that can make it difficult to walk or even stand, whereas a large herniated disc or completely degenerated disc can actually be completely painless.

Low back pain is typically classified as either acute or chronic

Acute back pain is short term, generally lasting from a few days to a few weeks. Some acute pain syndromes can become more serious if left untreated.

Chronic back pain is generally defined as pain that persists for more than three months. The pain may be progressive, or may occasionally flare up and then return to a lower level of pain. With chronic low back pain, the exact cause of the pain can sometimes be difficult to determine.

Possible culprits of low back pain

The causes of low back pain can be very complex, and there are many structures in the low back 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, that accompanies the low back pain. 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 vast majority of lower back pain conditions can be addressed with conservative treatments, such as chiropractic care.