Possible Causes of Low Back or Leg Pain

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.