5 Most Common Causes of Back Pain
Key Takeaways:
Back pain has many causes, and understanding the root issue is key to effective treatment
Muscle strains and ligament sprains are the most common causes of acute low back pain and typically improve
Degenerative changes like arthritis and disc wear are common with aging and can cause chronic stiffness and pain
Leg and/or arm pain from pinched nerves (radiculopathy) and lumbar stenosis are more common in those with scoliosis and can limit function and mobility
Personalized, non-operative treatment can address the full spectrum of painful spine conditions and help you live a better life
Back pain is extremely common. In fact, it is one of the most common reasons people visit their doctor, miss work, or limit their daily activities. Unfortunately, not all back pain is created equal, which makes it difficult to find real, effective solutions. It can come from a range of sources—some temporary and curable, others chronic and only treatable. But regardless of the cause(s) of your back pain, relief is possible.
Knowing what’s behind your pain is the first step to finding real relief and therefore the first step in our journey. Here we break down the most common causes of back pain. If you want a quick review of some fundamental back anatomy to provide a bit of context, take a quick look at this video.
Now that you understand just how dynamic (and sometimes complex) the spine can be, let’s discuss common reasons it may cause you some trouble.
1. Muscle Strains and Ligament Sprains
What it is:
Muscle or ligament strains are one of the most frequent causes of sudden-onset lower back pain. These injuries usually happen when muscles or ligaments are overstretched, strained, or torn due to improper lifting, sudden movements, or overuse.
Causes:
Heavy lifting without proper technique (keep the back straight!)
Twisting while lifting or bending (or golfing!)
Poor posture at work or while sleeping
Overtraining or exercising without warming up
Symptoms:
Localized lower back pain
Stiffness and tightness in the lower back muscles
Pain that worsens with movement, improves with rest
Muscle spasms
Treatment:
Most muscle strains resolve with “conservative” care- rest, ice/heat therapy, gentle stretching, and anti-inflammatory medications (like OTC ibuprofen and/or Tylenol). It’s important to return to light activity as soon as you are able to do so without significant pain in order to avoid deconditioning and weakening that can be hard to come back from and make the pain worse. Check out the link below for some additional insight from one of the world’s leading orthopaedic hospitals.
🔗 Further reading: Lower Back Pain: Muscle Strain vs. Disc Herniation – HSS
2. Arthritis and Disc Degeneration
What it is:
Degeneration is the next most common cause of back pain. As we age, joints in the spine (facet joints) and intervertebral discs (the cushions between our vertebrae) undergo normal wear and tear. In some people, this leads to osteoarthritis (loss of cartilage in a joint) or degenerative disc disease, where the joints or discs can become inflamed and painful. This is very similar to the osteoarthritis that can occur in hips, knees, and other joints.
Causes:
Genetics
Physically demanding jobs and/or physical activity causing frequent high stress through the back over time
Symptoms:
Achy or stiff low back pain
Pain that worsens with inactivity or prolonged standing
Stiffness in the morning that improves as the day goes on
Occasional flare-ups triggered by weather, activity, or stress
Treatment:
Exercise, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications are usually the first line of treatment. Strengthening the muscles that support the spine can greatly reduce stress on the joints and discs. Sometimes surgery may be a reasonable alternative, but should never be done without exhausting all appropriate non-operative options. Check out more info from The Mayo Clinic below.
🔗 Recommended article: Back Pain Isn’t All the Same – Mayo Clinic Health System
3. Scoliosis
What it is:
Scoliosis is a 3d curvature of the spine. There are different types of scoliosis. Many adults have scoliosis due to degenerative changes in the spine over time. This is known as Adult Degenerative Scoliosis (ADS), and it can be a source of chronic back pain, stiffness, and poor posture.
Causes:
ADS develops due to asymmetrical disc and joint wear and tear later in life. This has a lot to do with genetics, although some evidence suggests lifestyle may also play a role.
Symptoms:
Lower back pain that worsens with standing or walking
Uneven shoulders, hips, or waist
Muscle fatigue in the lower back or legs
Pain may or may not radiate down the legs (radiculopathy)
Who gets it?
Women over 50 are most commonly affected by adult degenerative scoliosis, especially those with poor bone quality (Osteoporosis/osteopenia), however it can happen to anyone with aging
Adults with a history of scoliosis during youth may experience some degree of curve progression later in life
Treatment:
Non-operative management—including physical therapy, core strengthening, and posture correction—can be very effective. However, many times this therapy is generalized and not specific to the type of curve and pain that you may have. That’s where MyBackHub comes in. We guide you through the most effective, personalized, and convenient therapy options available, specific to your curve type, so that you have the best chance possible at regaining function and avoiding debilitating pain.
If you want to learn more, take a look below:
4. Nerve Root Impingement (Radiculopathy)
What it is:
Radiculopathy is a shooting, burning, or electric like pain caused by a compressed or irritated nerve root in the spine.
This commonly occurs due to foraminal stenosis (narrowing of the spaces where nerves exit the spine) due to one or more of the following:
Herniated discs
Arthritis/ bone spurs
Disc degeneration
Scoliosis
Symptoms:
Sharp, shooting pain that radiates down the leg (sciatica)
Numbness or tingling in the foot or leg
Muscle weakness and limitation with standard functions such as lifting the foot (“foot drop”) or standing on your toes
Treatment:
This is a unique condition that confuses many since it typically causes arm or leg pain without always having pain directly in the back. Still, most people (>85%) recover without surgery.* Physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and/or back injections may help to relieve symptoms. Surgery is considered if symptoms persist or worsen despite nonoperative care. We will dive more into the invasive options such as surgery and injections later on.
🔗 Check out this guide from The Cleveland Clinic for more: Cleveland Clinic’s Radiculopathy Guide
*Chen Y, Kang X, et al. A Systematic Review of Treatment Guidelines for Lumbar Disc Herniation with Radiculopathy. e‑Neurospine. 2025 Apr 4.
5. Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Neurogenic Claudication
What it is:
Lumbar spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back. This compresses the nerves still in the spinal column. When nerve compression in the spine leads to pain, weakness, or numbness in the legs, thighs, and/or buttocks while walking, it’s known as neurogenic claudication.
Causes:
Disc space narrowing and degeneration
Symptoms:
Thigh and/or buttock pain, heaviness, aching, cramping, or numbness typically made worse by walking
Difficulty walking long distances
Relief with sitting or leaning forward (e.g., pushing a shopping cart or riding a bike)
Treatment:
Mild to moderate symptoms can be managed with posture-specific exercises (like flexion-based walking), physical therapy, medications, or epidural injections. Therapies available with MyBackHub have been shown to successfully treat this as well. That said, severe stenosis may require decompression surgery if it severely affects your quality of life and all non-operative options have been attempted without improvement.
🔗 For a scientific deep dive on lumbar stenosis: Lumbar Stenosis – Johns Hopkins Medicine
Red flags:
If you have back pain as well as new changes in bowel or bladder function, worsening weakness in your legs, numbness in your private areas, significant unintended weight loss, or a recent diagnosis of cancer, then you may need to seek immediate attention from a medical professional with experience in spine disease.
The Bottom Line: You Need To Know Your Back
Back pain is common—but it’s not normal. Understanding what’s causing your discomfort gives you the power to seek effective treatment. Whether it’s scoliosis, stenosis, arthritis, or a simple strain, help is available—and in most cases, surgery is not necessary.
At MyBackHub, we specialize in guiding you on your journey to a functional life doing the things you love to do. Try our specialized program today and tell us what you think.
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About the Author:
Rob Turk, MD, MBA
Chief Medical Advisor, MyBackHub
Rob Turk is the Chief Medical Advisor for MyBackHub, Inc. Dr. Turk has a broad foundation of talent in both medicine and business, previously obtaining his MD from the esteemed University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and his MBA at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. As an entrepreneur and orthopaedic spine surgeon, he has unique and valuable insight on many topics. He is a published author in leading scientific journals such as JBJS and Arthroscopy, has written multiple book chapters, and has been a reviewer for a number of scientific journals. He is passionate about motion preservation and innovation in spine care, health equity, and Denver Nuggets basketball.
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