The symptoms in your back or leg may be due to pressure on a nerve. This pressure may be caused by a damaged disk or by abnormal bone growth. Either way, you may feel pain, burning, tingling, or numbness. If you have pressure on a nerve that connects to the sciatic nerve, pain may shoot down your leg.
Pressure from the disk
Constant wear and tear can weaken a disk over time and cause back pain. The disk can then be damaged by a sudden movement or injury. If its soft center starts to bulge, the disk may press on a nerve. Or the outside of the disk may tear, and the soft center may squeeze through and pinch a nerve.
Pressure from bone
As a disk wears out, the vertebrae right above and below the disk start to touch. This can put pressure on a nerve. Often, abnormal bone (called bone spurs) grows where the vertebrae rub against each other. This can cause the foramen or the spinal canal to narrow (called stenosis) and press against a nerve.
Other causes
Back pain can be caused by many other things. Some of these can be serious. If you have blood flow problems, a history of cancer, or constant pain despite your activity level or position, it's important to see your healthcare provider.
Related Articles
Understanding Cervical Strain
Cervical strain is a medical term for neck pain. The neck has several layers of muscles. These are connected with tendons to the cervical spine and other bones. Neck pain is often the result of injury to these muscles and tendons.
Primary Bone Cancer: Risk Factors
Anyone can get primary bone cancer. But there are some factors that can increase your risk.
Pinched Nerve in the Neck
Pinched nerve in the neck (cervical radiculopathy) is caused when the nerve that goes from the spinal cord to the arm is irritated or has pressure on it. This may be caused by a bulging spinal disk or a narrowing of the spinal joint because of arthritis.
Having a Discogram
This test may help find which disk is causing your back or leg pain.
