What causes back pain?

Back pain can be caused by various factors including referenced pain where the location of pain may not reflect the actual source. For example, a bulging disc can cause pain to be felt in other areas of the body like the hip or leg, due to nerve pathways (1). Additionally, muscular imbalances and compensations throughout the body can lead to back pain. Tension in one area can create adaptations that result in pain elsewhere, such as weak hips causing low back pain (2).

To manage back pain effectively, understanding the interconnectedness of body mechanics is crucial, as well as identifying the true source of pain which might be different from where the pain is experienced (2).