The majority of low back pain cases are classified as non-specific in nature, meaning they are not attributable to an identifiable, single structural cause such as a fracture, infection, tumor, or nerve compression. But, in roughly 5–10% of cases, the cause of localized pain in the lower back can be linked to injury to the intervertebral disks—which sit between each of the lumbar vertebrae and function as shock absorbers while facilitating spinal movement. If a nearby nerve root is affected, the patient may experience symptoms that radiate along the course of the nerve into the leg. What role, if any,…
