Chronic Back Pain: Causes, Diagnosis & How to Identify the Root Problem
Why Does My Back Hurt All the Time?
Back pain that doesn’t go away after a few days is more than just a strain. When it continues for weeks or months, it often points to something deeper. Whether it’s a dull ache that nags at you or sharp pain that limits your movement, chronic back pain can quietly interfere with your everyday life.
From trouble sleeping to missed workdays and reduced mobility, ongoing back issues affect not just your body but your confidence too. Still, many people delay getting help because they’re unsure about what’s really causing their discomfort.
Understanding the reason behind long-term back pain is the first step to finding relief. Knowing the actual source helps you make informed decisions, seek the right treatment, and improve your quality of life.
Understanding What is Chronic Back Pain?
Back pain is considered chronic when it lasts for more than 12 weeks, even after the initial injury or strain has healed. Unlike short-term pain, which usually resolves on its own, chronic back pain tends to persist and may come and go in waves.
Some signs that your back pain might be chronic include:
- Pain that stays beyond three months
- Limited relief from painkillers
- Discomfort that disrupts daily routines or sleep
- Recurring stiffness or tightness in the lower back
Recognising that this type of pain needs more than just home remedies is the key to long-term management.
Different Types of Chronic Back Pain
Chronic back pain can vary in how it feels and where it occurs. Knowing the type of pain you’re experiencing helps in narrowing down the cause.
| Type of Pain | Description | Likely Cause |
| Dull, aching pain | Steady, deep discomfort | Degenerative disc issues, muscle fatigue |
| Sharp or stabbing pain | Sudden, pinpointed pain | Herniated disc, nerve irritation |
| Pain that radiates | Spreads to legs or buttocks | Nerve compression, sciatica |
| Stiffness in the morning | Improves throughout the day | Spinal arthritis, inflammation |
| Tight muscles | Worsens with poor posture or sitting long | Muscle imbalances, poor ergonomics |
Understanding these patterns gives your doctor clues about what’s happening inside your spine.
What Causes Chronic Back Pain?
Back pain that doesn’t go away often has underlying causes related to the spine, muscles, or nerves. It’s not always a result of injury. Many times, it develops slowly due to lifestyle, age, or posture habits.
Lumbar Spine Disorders
The lower spine, or lumbar region, is where most chronic back problems begin. Common conditions include:
- Herniated discs pressing on nearby nerves
- Degenerative disc disease, where spinal discs dry out and lose cushioning
- Arthritis in the facet joints that connect the vertebrae
These conditions can cause both localised and radiating pain, depending on the pressure on nearby nerves.
Poor Posture and Muscle Imbalance
Sitting for long hours, bending improperly, and lack of movement can weaken key muscle groups. This causes stress to build in certain areas, leading to chronic strain.
Muscle imbalance in the back can also pull the spine out of its natural alignment. Over time, this creates ongoing tension and discomfort.
Nerve Compression
When nerves get pinched or inflamed, the pain can shoot from your back into your legs or feet. Conditions like sciatica are common in people with long-term nerve compression. The discomfort often worsens when sitting or standing for too long.
Medical Conditions and Age-Related Changes
Certain health conditions can trigger chronic back pain, including:
- Osteoporosis, which weakens bones and increases fracture risk
- Spinal infections, tumours and inflammatory disorders
- Kidney stones or infections, which can cause referred pain to the back
As the spine naturally changes with age, these issues may become more common.
How Do Doctors Identify the Root Cause of Chronic Back Pain?
Finding the real reason behind ongoing pain is essential for proper treatment. At Zen Spine, Dr. Rakesh Dhake focuses on understanding not just where the pain is, but why it’s happening.
Diagnosis usually starts with:
- A full review of your medical history and lifestyle
- Physical examination to check mobility, posture, and muscle strength
- Imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to view the spine structure
- Nerve studies to detect if there’s any pressure on spinal nerves
This approach helps in identifying the exact source of back pain rather than just treating symptoms.
Sometimes the issue isn’t located where the pain is felt. A compressed nerve in the lower spine might cause pain in the thigh or calf. That’s why understanding the root of the issue, not just the location, is crucial for long-term recovery.
Common Causes of Lower Back Pain That Becomes Chronic
When lower back pain becomes a part of everyday life, it’s often due to a combination of spinal wear and poor habits. These include:
- Sitting in poor posture at desks or while driving
- Repeated heavy lifting without proper form
- Weak core muscles that fail to support the spine
- Past injuries that never healed fully
Age-related wear in the lumbar spine is also common, particularly as discs lose their fluid content. This causes them to shrink and reduces the cushioning between the vertebrae, resulting in stiffness and discomfort.
How is Chronic Back Pain Diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves more than just a scan. A spine specialist looks at your movement patterns, pain triggers, and even how your body responds to certain positions.
Some of the key diagnostic tools include:
- X-rays: Show bone alignment and joint spacing
- MRI: Useful for spotting disc problems, nerve issues, and soft tissue changes
- Electromyography (EMG): Checks nerve and muscle function
- CT scans: Provide detailed images of the spine and help detect subtle damage
These tests help doctors find the real reason why your back hurts and how it can be addressed properly.
Can Chronic Back Pain Be Treated Without Surgery?
Yes, many cases of long-term back pain improve with non-surgical care. Surgery is usually considered only when conservative methods fail or the condition causes severe nerve damage.
Common Non-Surgical Treatments Include:
- Physical therapy: Builds core strength and corrects posture
- Pain relief options: Anti-inflammatory medication or targeted nerve blocks
- Lifestyle changes: Ergonomic changes at work and home, along with regular low-impact exercises
- Postural correction: Guided adjustments and spine-friendly habits
- Stress management: Mental stress can increase muscle tension and worsen pain
At Zen Spine, the focus is always on identifying the underlying cause and using personalised, non-surgical strategies for long-term relief.
When Should You See a Spine Specialist?
Not all back pain requires immediate medical attention. But when pain refuses to go away, keeps coming back, or starts interfering with your life, it’s time to seek help.
See a spine specialist if you experience:
- Pain lasting longer than three months
- Difficulty walking, standing, or lifting objects
- Tingling or numbness in legs or feet
- Pain that wakes you up at night or limits your routine
Ignoring these signs could lead to long-term damage or nerve involvement that becomes harder to treat over time.
Dr. Rakesh Dhake at Zen Spine offers comprehensive evaluation and personalised care for individuals facing chronic spine issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the most common cause of chronic back pain?
Answer: Degeneration of the spinal discs is one of the most frequent causes, especially as people age. It leads to reduced cushioning between bones and causes pain.
Q2. How do I know if my back pain is chronic?
Answer: If your pain lasts more than 12 weeks and doesn’t improve with basic care, it is likely chronic and needs medical attention.
Q3. Is surgery the only option for long-term back pain?
Answer: No. Many people manage chronic back pain effectively through non-surgical treatments like physiotherapy, posture correction, and lifestyle adjustments.
Q4. Why does my back hurt even when I’m resting?
Answer: It could be due to inflammation, nerve compression, or spinal stiffness. Sometimes, poor sleep posture also worsens symptoms.
Q5. What can I do at home to reduce chronic back pain?
Answer: Stay active with light exercises, improve your posture, avoid sitting too long, and use a supportive mattress or chair.
Q6. Can stress make chronic back pain worse?
Answer: Yes. Stress causes muscle tension, which can tighten the back muscles and aggravate pain over time.
Q7. Which doctor should I see for persistent back pain?
Answer: It’s best to consult a spine specialist who can accurately diagnose the underlying cause and recommend the most suitable treatment plan for your condition. A specialist evaluates your spine health, nerve function, and posture to guide you toward effective, long-term relief.
Final Thoughts
Chronic back pain isn’t just uncomfortable it can limit your independence, lower your energy, and affect your mental wellbeing. But the good news is that you don’t have to live with it forever.
The first step to finding relief is understanding what’s causing the pain. From degenerative spine changes to muscle imbalance and nerve compression, the right diagnosis opens the door to the right solution.
If you’re struggling with long-term back pain, it might be time to speak to an expert. At Zen Spine, Dr. Rakesh Dhake provides patient-centred, non-surgical care that focuses on both relief and prevention.