Most back pain is caused by muscle strain, trauma or spinal deformity.
Only about 10 percent of back pain is caused by a systemic illness. Back pain can develop anywhere from the neck to the lower spine. The pain can be localized or spread across a wide area and radiate from a central point. The exact cause of pain may be difficult to identify, since it can come from soft tissue, bone, disc or nerves. Risk factors for low back pain include cigarette smoking, jobs that require repetitive or heavy lifting, and exposure to vibration produced by vehicles or industrial machinery.