What Is Back Pain?

Back pain refers to any pain occurring in the thoracic (upper and middle) or lumbar (lower) spine. The majority of back pain originates in the five lumbar vertebrae or in the sacroiliac (SI) joint — the joint that connects your lower spine to your pelvis. Because the spine houses and protects the spinal cord and the nerve roots that branch out to the rest of the body, even a small structural change in the spine can have wide-reaching effects.

Back pain ranges from a dull, constant ache to sharp, stabbing sensations. It may remain localized to the back, or it may radiate into the hips, buttocks, and legs — a condition commonly known as sciatica. Whether your back pain is recent or has been building for years, comprehensive pain management at Olympus Spine and Pain can make a real difference.

What Causes Chronic Back Pain?

While some back pain results from poor posture, improper lifting technique, or muscle strain, chronic back pain almost always has an underlying structural or degenerative cause. Common causes treated at Olympus Spine and Pain include:

• Degenerative disc disease — the gradual breakdown of the intervertebral discs that cushion the spine
• Lumbar spinal stenosis — narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses nerves
• Bulging or herniated disc — when disc material presses on nearby nerves
• Arthritis — including osteoarthritis of the facet joints (learn more on our arthritis and joint pain page)
• Spondylolisthesis — when one vertebra slips forward over another
• Osteoporotic vertebral fractures — compression fractures caused by weakened bones
• Scoliosis — abnormal lateral curvature of the spine
• Sacroiliitis — inflammation of the sacroiliac joint

Untreated injuries such as sprains and strains can also worsen and become chronic over time. Seeking evaluation and treatment early is always the best approach.

Are Back Pain and Leg Pain Connected?

Yes — back and leg pain are frequently connected through the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the human body. The sciatic nerve exits the lumbar spine and travels through each hip and down into each leg. When a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, bone spur, or other spinal change places pressure on the sciatic nerve, it can cause sciatica — a radiating pain that travels from the lower back through the buttock and down one leg, sometimes all the way into the foot.

Sciatica can cause burning pain, sharp shooting sensations, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg and foot. These symptoms overlap with peripheral neuropathy, which is why an accurate diagnosis from a specialist like Dr. Warner is essential. Visit our neuropathy and foot pain page to learn more about how nerve pain in the lower extremities is evaluated and treated.

How Is Back and Leg Pain Diagnosed?

Dr. Warner takes a thorough diagnostic approach to back and leg pain, beginning with a detailed medical history and physical examination. He reviews your symptom pattern, assesses your neurological function, and evaluates any imaging studies you may already have — or orders new ones. Depending on your presentation, this may include X-rays, MRI, CT scans, or diagnostic nerve blocks to confirm the source of your pain.

What Are the Treatment Options for Back and Leg Pain?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to back and leg pain. Dr. Warner discusses all of your options and helps you choose the approach that best aligns with your lifestyle, goals, and medical needs. Treatment plans often combine several strategies, including:

• Lifestyle modifications — weight management, targeted exercise, and ergonomic improvements
• Physical therapy to improve core strength and spinal stability
• Oral medications for pain and inflammation management
• Epidural steroid injections to reduce nerve inflammation
• Nerve block injections for targeted pain relief
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to disrupt pain signals from facet joints
• Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD® procedure) for spinal stenosis
• Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty for vertebral compression fractures
• Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for chronic, refractory back and leg pain
• Intrathecal drug pump for sustained pain relief
• Ketamine infusions* for complex chronic pain
• Scrambler Therapy — a non-invasive neuromodulation option for nerve-related back and leg pain

If back or leg pain is preventing you from enjoying an active, fulfilling life, it is time to talk to the team at Olympus Spine and Pain. Don’t let pain define your daily experience — relief is possible.

*Ketamine infusions are FDA-approved as a sole anesthetic agent for diagnostic and surgical purposes, but are not yet approved for chronic pain treatment. Spravato®, an esketamine nasal spray, has FDA approval for addressing treatment-resistant depression.

Back and Leg Pain — Frequently Asked Questions