Most people get low back pain at one time or another. Low back pain is a symptom of a problem. One common cause of low back pain is a condition called spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces in the backbone, or spinal column. This narrowing can put pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. The spinal column is formed by the bones of your spine, called vertebrae. The vertebrae have a hollow core. When stacked upon each other, they form a canal that protects and supports the spinal cord. Nerves, called nerve roots, branch off from the spinal cord through spaces between the vertebrae and lead to different parts of your body.
Most vertebrae are separated by flexible disks of cartilage that act like shock absorbers and allow your spine to move. With age, your disks can lose their height and ability to cushion. This process is called disk degeneration. This video explains more about this condition and the treatments available.
Back pain is one of the most common health problems today. In fact, most people experience back pain at some point in their lives. Normal aging and some physically demanding occupations often cause discs to wear out. Bad posture and poor movement patterns can speed up the process.
