There are a number of conditions that can result in chronic pain, many of which relate to age-related changes in the spine. These conditions include:
Arthritis:
Arthritis is a chronic condition that causes the joints of the body, including those in the back, to break down or become inflamed. This allows the bones to rub together, limiting mobility and causing pain that worsens over time.
Herniated disc:
The discs that cushion the vertebrae in your spine can become damaged or herniated, forcing the soft-gel center outward. A herniated disc can press on the spinal nerves and cause chronic pain.
Sciatica:
Sciatica is a condition where, quite often, a herniated disc puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, the large nerve that travels from your lower back down into your buttocks and legs.
Radiculopathy:
Radiculopathy is a painful condition, also known as a pinched nerve, which results in shooting pain during sudden movements.
You can also develop chronic back pain if you have structural issues in your spine, such as scoliosis, a curvature in the spine. If you lose bone density due to osteoporosis, you may develop chronic back pain due to compression fractures in your vertebrae.