There are many factors that lead to back pain, and many are things we unconsciously do everyday: improper sitting or lifting, overexertion, trauma, inherited spinal abnormalities, or even stress may contribute to the reason for your pain or suffering. Many of the pain-sensing nerves of the spine are in the facet joints, the two interlocking “fingers” at the back of each spinal bone. The smooth surfaces on which these joints glide, can become rough, irritated, or inflamed. Surgical treatment often involves removing these facet joints, exposing the spinal cord. 

Another cause of lower back pain can be a bulging or herniated disc putting pressure on the spinal cord or nearby nerve root. The result is often numbness, tingling, or pain down the leg. Cutting away the herniated disc tissue can permanently alter its ability to separate and cushion the adjacent bones. However, this rarely addresses the underlying structural causes of the problem.