Illustration of neuroinflammation in the spine, highlighting the connection between neural networks, immune cells, and chronic back pain.

Decoding Back Pain: How Neuroinflammation Could Be the Key to Relief

Elliot Brynn in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research sheds light on the role of neuroinflammation in chronic low back pain, offering potential new avenues for diagnosis and treatment."

Chronic low back pain is one of the most pervasive health problems worldwide, affecting a significant portion of the adult population. It's more than just an ache; it's a leading cause of disability, impacting daily life and productivity. Managing chronic back pain can feel like navigating a maze, with treatments often providing only temporary relief.

Imagine a scenario where the source of your chronic back pain isn't just structural, but also involves your nervous system's inflammatory response. Recent research suggests that neuroinflammation – inflammation within the nervous system – plays a critical role in many cases of chronic low back pain. Understanding this connection is key to developing more effective treatments.

This article delves into the exciting new findings about neuroinflammation and its connection to chronic low back pain. We'll explore the latest research, what it means for you, and the potential future of pain management. Get ready to discover how this knowledge could pave the way for a pain-free future.

The Neuroinflammation Connection: What the Research Reveals

Illustration of neuroinflammation in the spine, highlighting the connection between neural networks, immune cells, and chronic back pain.

Traditionally, low back pain has been attributed to issues like disc degeneration, joint problems, or muscle strain. However, mounting evidence suggests that the nervous system's response to these issues can significantly amplify and prolong pain. Neuroinflammation occurs when the immune cells in the nervous system become activated, releasing inflammatory substances that sensitize pain pathways.

A groundbreaking study featured in "Brain, Behavior, and Immunity" by Palada et al. (2018) has highlighted the link between neuroinflammation and low back pain. The study focused on two common conditions: lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and degenerative disc disease (DDD). Researchers found elevated levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8), an inflammatory marker, in patients with these conditions. This discovery suggests that inflammation within the nervous system is not just a consequence of back pain, but a contributing factor.

IL-8 Levels: Significantly higher in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH).
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF): Elevated IL-8 levels found in both male and female patients with LDH.
Gender Differences: IL-8 levels correlated with pain scores in male patients only.
Source of IL-8: Primarily produced by microglia and macrophages, key immune cells in the nervous system.
Receptor Locations: Cognate receptors (CXCR1/2) are expressed on microglia, astrocytes, and pain projection neurons in the spinal cord.

These findings suggest that neuroinflammation may contribute to the development and maintenance of chronic low back pain. The fact that IL-8 levels correlated with pain scores in males but not females opens interesting questions about the role of gender in pain perception and inflammatory processes. Further research is needed to fully understand these differences and how they impact treatment strategies.

The Future of Back Pain Relief: Targeting Neuroinflammation

Understanding the role of neuroinflammation in chronic low back pain opens up exciting new possibilities for treatment. Future therapies might focus on reducing inflammation within the nervous system, potentially providing more effective and long-lasting relief. This could involve novel drugs, targeted therapies, or lifestyle changes designed to modulate the immune response. While more research is needed, the discovery of the neuroinflammation connection marks a significant step forward in the fight against chronic back pain.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.bbi.2018.11.001, Alternate LINK

Title: A Backbone For Reverse-Translation: Evidence For Neuroinflammation In Patients With Low Back Pain

Subject: Behavioral Neuroscience

Journal: Brain, Behavior, and Immunity

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Peter M. Grace

Published: 2019-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is neuroinflammation and how does it relate to chronic low back pain?

Neuroinflammation is inflammation within the nervous system. It's increasingly recognized as a critical factor in chronic low back pain. Instead of just structural issues like disc degeneration, neuroinflammation involves the activation of immune cells, which release inflammatory substances that sensitize pain pathways. The research, like the study by Palada et al. (2018), shows a strong link between neuroinflammation and conditions such as lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and degenerative disc disease (DDD). Elevated levels of inflammatory markers like interleukin-8 (IL-8) have been found in patients with these conditions, suggesting that neuroinflammation amplifies and prolongs pain.

What did the Palada et al. (2018) study reveal about neuroinflammation in the context of low back pain?

The Palada et al. (2018) study published in "Brain, Behavior, and Immunity" highlighted the connection between neuroinflammation and chronic low back pain, specifically focusing on lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and degenerative disc disease (DDD). The study discovered elevated levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8), an inflammatory marker, in patients with these conditions. Key findings include significantly higher IL-8 levels in patients with LDH, elevated IL-8 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and the correlation of IL-8 levels with pain scores in male patients. The research also identified that microglia and macrophages, which are key immune cells within the nervous system, are the primary producers of IL-8. Moreover, cognate receptors (CXCR1/2) for IL-8 are found on microglia, astrocytes, and pain projection neurons in the spinal cord, providing insights into how neuroinflammation influences pain.

How does interleukin-8 (IL-8) contribute to the experience of chronic low back pain, according to the research?

Interleukin-8 (IL-8), an inflammatory marker, plays a significant role in the experience of chronic low back pain. Research indicates that IL-8 levels are elevated in patients with conditions like lumbar disc herniation (LDH). IL-8, primarily produced by microglia and macrophages, activates receptors (CXCR1/2) on microglia, astrocytes, and pain projection neurons in the spinal cord. This activation contributes to the sensitization of pain pathways, which amplifies and prolongs pain signals. The study by Palada et al. (2018) found that in male patients, IL-8 levels correlated with pain scores, suggesting a direct relationship between IL-8-induced neuroinflammation and the intensity of pain experienced. This highlights IL-8's contribution to the development and maintenance of chronic low back pain by influencing inflammatory processes within the nervous system.

What are the potential implications of gender differences observed in the study's findings regarding IL-8 levels and pain?

The study's findings on gender differences in IL-8 levels and pain scores open intriguing questions about how males and females experience pain. While elevated IL-8 levels were observed in both male and female patients, the correlation between IL-8 levels and pain scores was significant only in male patients. This suggests that the relationship between neuroinflammation and pain might differ between genders, potentially due to hormonal, genetic, or other biological factors. These differences could influence how treatment strategies are developed and implemented. For example, therapies that are effective for men might not be as effective for women, or vice versa, underscoring the need for tailored approaches. Further research is needed to understand these gender-specific variations fully and develop more personalized pain management strategies.

How could the understanding of neuroinflammation change the approach to treating chronic low back pain in the future?

Understanding neuroinflammation's role in chronic low back pain paves the way for new treatment strategies. Instead of focusing solely on structural issues or providing temporary relief, future therapies may target the inflammatory processes within the nervous system. This could involve novel drugs, targeted therapies designed to reduce inflammation, and lifestyle changes aimed at modulating the immune response. By addressing the underlying neuroinflammation, these treatments could offer more effective and long-lasting relief. For example, drugs could be developed to block the action of inflammatory markers like interleukin-8 (IL-8) or to modulate the activity of microglia and macrophages. Further research is crucial, but this knowledge represents a significant step forward in the fight against chronic back pain, potentially shifting the focus from managing symptoms to addressing the root causes of the pain.