Chronic Low Back Pain Is Not a Diagnosis | Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk (Ep. 27)

Chronic low back pain can be exhausting, frustrating, and isolating — especially when imaging looks “normal,” but the pain is still very real.In this episode of Vertrae® 360 Spine Talk, Dr. Kamal Woods explains why chronic low back pain is a label, not a true diagnosis. It describes where pain is and how long it has lasted, but it does not explain the underlying cause. Without identifying the actual pain source, patients may cycle through treatments that only provide partial or temporary relief.This episode explores why a normal MRI does not mean nothing is wrong, how emotional health and chronic pain are connected, and why conditions such as central sensitization, vertebrogenic pain, facet joint pain, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and multifidus dysfunction may require more targeted evaluation.Dr. Woods also discusses the difference between mechanical and inflammatory back pain, why listening carefully to a patient’s story matters, and which red flag symptoms require immediate emergency care.Topics covered include:Why chronic low back pain is not a final diagnosisWhat a normal MRI can and cannot showCentral sensitization and the nervous system’s role in painThe connection between chronic pain, anxiety, and depressionMechanical vs. inflammatory back pain patternsVertebrogenic pain and multifidus dysfunctionWhen back pain symptoms may be a medical emergencyWhy precise diagnosis should come before treatmentThis episode is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you experience sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, new numbness in the groin or saddle area, sudden weakness in both legs, or severe back pain after a fall or injury, seek emergency medical care immediately.