About 85 percent of all people suffer from some back pain throughout their lives. Pain can range from mild to severe. The spine is made up of segments of bone that hinge in the back at specific joints. Vertebrae are separated by discs, which serve as shock absorbers and allow motion between the vertebrae.
Discs have a hard outer layer and a soft inner core.
A tear or crack can occur in the outer layer and the gel in the inner core may squirt out. This is commonly referred to as a herniated disc. Age or injury may cause the canal through which the spinal nerves travel to narrow causing pressure on the nerves. This is referred to as spinal stenosis. These conditions can be debilitating so researchers are constantly searching for better ways to relieve the pain.