Pain in the low back can be a result of conditions affecting the bony lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and discs, spinal cord and nerves, muscles of the low back, internal organs of the pelvis and abdomen, and the skin covering the lumbar area. Spine-Related Problems: Back pain often happens because something is off in the way your spinal joints, muscles, discs, and nerves fit together and move. Your doctor can check to see if you have: Herniated or slipped discs: If your doctor mentions this, the soft tissue in the discs between your joints has come out. It’s usually caused by wear and tear. Herniated discs can cause pain in your lower back or hip because the nerves there are pressed. Bulging discs: These protrude, or “bulge,” but not as much as with a herniated disc . You don’t usually have symptoms with this. You'll feel it if it pushes on a nerve root, though. Degenerative disc disease : The discs, or “shock absorbers”