Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. It can range from a mild ache to persistent discomfort that interferes with sleep, movement, work, and everyday activities.

At Libérté Pain & Wellness, we recognize that back pain can have many different causes. Understanding where your pain comes from is an important step toward developing an appropriate treatment plan.

What Causes Back Pain?

Back pain can arise from several structures in and around the spine, including:

• Muscles and ligaments: Strains or injuries can cause soreness, stiffness, and discomfort.

• Spinal discs: Herniated or degenerative discs may contribute to localized pain or irritation of nearby nerves.

• Facet joints: These small joints help guide spinal movement and may contribute to pain when irritated or affected by arthritis.

• Sacroiliac joints: These joints connect the spine and pelvis and can be a source of lower back or buttock pain.

• Spinal nerves: Nerve irritation or compression may cause pain that travels into the buttocks or legs.

• Vertebral conditions: Compression fractures and other changes affecting the bones of the spine can cause significant discomfort.

Common Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause and may include:

• Aching, stiffness, or sharp pain in the lower or upper back

• Discomfort when bending, lifting, standing, or sitting

• Pain that travels into the buttocks or legs

• Muscle tightness or restricted movement

• Tingling, numbness, or weakness when nerves are involved

How Is Back Pain Evaluated?

Evaluation may include a review of your medical history, a discussion of your symptoms, and a physical examination. When indicated, imaging or other diagnostic tests may help clarify the underlying cause.

Not every case of back pain requires imaging or an interventional procedure. Recommendations depend on your symptoms and clinical findings.

Treatment Options

Treatment is based on the suspected source of pain, its severity, and your individual needs. Depending on the diagnosis, options may include:

• Personalized conservative care and activity guidance

• Targeted injections for selected spinal or joint conditions

• Epidural steroid injections for certain types of radiating pain

• Facet joint injections or medial branch blocks

• Radiofrequency ablation for appropriately selected patients

• Other advanced procedures when clinically indicated

A procedure is not appropriate for every patient, and potential benefits and risks should be discussed before treatment.