Muscle spasms, also known as muscle cramps, can occur in any muscle of the body. They involve sudden, involuntary contractions that are often painful. These spasms can be caused by muscle fatigue, dehydration, or electrolyte imbalances.

Degenerative disc disease refers to the symptoms of back or neck pain caused by wear-and-tear on a spinal disc. Despite its name, it is not a progressive, disease-like condition, but rather a term used to describe the normal changes in your spinal discs as you age.

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of spaces within your spine, which can put pressure on the nerves traveling through the spine. This condition is most commonly caused by wear-and-tear changes in the spine related to osteoarthritis.

Disc herniation occurs when the nucleus pulposus (the jelly-like center of a spinal disc) breaks through the annulus fibrosus (the tough, rubbery exterior ring) due to age-related wear and tear or a sudden injury. This can compress nearby nerves and result in pain, numbness, or weakness along the nerve pathway.

Sciatica is characterized by pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which extends from the lower back down through the hips and buttocks and each leg. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of the body and is often caused by a herniated disc or bone spur compressing part of the nerve.