Various structures in your spine can cause back pain: the vertebrae (bones of the spine), facet joints (joints connecting the back portions of the bones of the spine), intervertebral discs (structures between the bodies of the bones of the spine acting as shock absorbers), ligaments (fibrous tissue attaching a bone to another bone), muscles and nerves.

When you develop back pain, the location of that pain will play a large role in the treatment options for back pain relief you and your doctor consider, as well as how serious of an overall impact your back pain will have in your day-to-day life.

Next: Back Pain Risk Factors