Causes of back pain
The spine is one of the most complex areas in the human body. There are many different causes for back pain, just as there are many types of back pain. The best way to diagnose and treat problems in the back is to see a physician who is specially trained in these disorders. 

Back pain can range from mild, dull, and annoying, to persistent, severe, and disabling. Pain in the back can restrict mobility and interfere with normal functioning. Back pain may be caused of many different problems, including: strenuous activity; improper back use; trauma or injury; degeneration of vertebrae (the back bones); poor muscle tone in the back; joint problems; protruding or herniated disk; or disease. Following are some of the more common causes of back pain:

Kyphosis - A normal spine, when viewed from behind appears straight. However, a spine affected by kyphosis shows evidence of a forward curvature of the back bones (vertebrae) in the upper back area, giving a "humpback" appearance.

Scoliosis – Similar to kyphosis, a spine affected by scoliosis shows evidence of a lateral, or sideways, curvature, and a rotation of the back bones (vertebrae), giving the appearance that the person is leaning to one side. In most cases, the cause of scoliosis is not known.

Sciatica - Sciatica, also known as lumbar radiculopathy, is a pain that originates along the sciatic nerve, which extends from the back of the pelvis down the back of the thigh. The sciatic nerve is the primary nerve of the leg. It is also the largest nerve in the entire body. Symptoms of sciatica may include lower back pain that radiates down the buttock and back of one thigh, pain that extends from the buttock down to the foot, or numbness or weakness in the back, leg, thigh, or foot.

Spinal stenosis – Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the nerve openings either around the spinal cord or nerve roots, usually caused by growth of bone or soft tissue along one of the spine’s vertebrae. This can cause symptoms similar to a pinched nerve; pain is described either as an aching or an electrical feeling down the arms or legs.

Ankylosing spondylitis - Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that affects the spine. AS causes inflammation of the spine and large joints, resulting in stiffness and pain. The disease may result in erosion at the joint between the spine and the hip bone, and the formation of bony bridges between vertebrae in the spine, fusing those bones. In addition, bones in the chest may fuse.

Spondylolisthesis - Spondylolisthesis occurs when part of one vertebra in the low back slips forward on the vertebrae below it. This slippage may occur because of weakened bone due to disease or because of a bone fracture. Many times, if this slippage happens at a young age, there is little or no pain, and the condition will not be discovered until many years later. Pain from Spondylolisthesis can range from mild to severe lower back pain to sharp radiating pain in the legs and feet.

Herniated disc – A herniated disc occurs in the lumbar spine area of the back bone. The lumbar spine consists of five bony segments in the lower back area. These bony segments are separated and cushioned by spongy tissue called intervertebral discs. These discs are composed of a tough outer ring of fibrous tissue, and a more gelatinous or soft material inside. As a result of normal wear and tear or through trauma, the inner material of an intervertebral disc may actually rupture out from the outer ring. This is considered a ruptured, or herniated, disc. The fragments of disc material can then press on the nerve roots that are located just behind the disc space. This can cause pain, weakness, and numbness.

Degenerative disc disease - The backbone is actually composed of several bones called vertebrae, 33 to be precise. The vertebrae are separated by spongy, fibrous tissue called discs, which provide cushioning and flexibility. As we age, these discs can wear down, dry out, and change shape. When this happens, pressure on nerves or vertebrae can cause pain. Most of the time, disc disease comes as a result of aging and the degeneration that occurs within the disc.

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