Back pain can be very challenging to manage when the cause is not established.
Public misconceptions are on the rise due to unverified information sources about symptoms and the diagnosis of back pain. This can only cause fear and limitations in participation in daily activities. For example, the term sciatica is used generically in referring to all referred pain from the lower back. Whereas referral pain is not always from spinal nerve impingement. Severe muscle spasm can also cause referred pain.

Skilled professional assessment is required to differentiate muscle-referred pain from nerve impingement pain.