What are the causes of low back pain?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Low back pain is a common condition that typically stems from issues within the spine, such as muscle strain, disc problems, or joint dysfunction. Less commonly, it can signal an underlying medical condition, including kidney problems, infections, or inflammatory diseases. Identifying the true cause is key to effective treatment.

Because back pain has so many possible causes, self-diagnosing can be difficult—and delaying care may allow a serious issue to worsen. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you quickly narrow down potential causes based on your specific symptoms, giving you clarity on how urgent your situation is and what steps to take next. It's a fast, private, and informed way to move forward with confidence.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover likely causes of low back pain Learn if low back pain needs care today Find out if back pain is serious See OTC options for low back pain Find back pain specialists near you Discover home remedies for low back pain Understand what may be causing your pain

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Explanation

Low back pain may originate from the components of the spine itself: bones, joints (places where the bones come together), discs between the bones, nerves that run through the spine and muscles that surround the spine. Much like a mechanical object, bones can break, joints and discs may wear down, nerves can get pinched and muscles may ache from a host of different causes.

In other cases, low back pain may be a symptom of something else going on like a kidney stone, vascular disease, digestive issue, pain from another joint like the hip or psychological stress. If you're experiencing persistent back pain and want to understand what might be causing it, try our free symptom checker to help identify potential underlying conditions.

(References)

Knezevic NN, Candido KD, Vlaeyen JWS, Van Zundert J, Cohen SP. Low back pain. Lancet. 2021 Jul 3;398(10294):78-92. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00733-9. Epub 2021 Jun 8. PMID: 34115979.

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