Drs. Chapman and Chesnut introduce the goals of the Symposium on Low Back Pain and, by using case discussions, identify demographics and prevalence of low back pain in the general population as well as treatment considerations.  The concept of intradiscal electrothermal therapy and its clinical results are discussed by Dr. Standaert. Basically, there is a paucity of animal and prospective human studies from financially disinterested parties to support the further use of this device. Dr. Baker critically evaluates the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of lumbar facet blocks and its current role in the management of patients suffering from low back pain. From the Series:Symposium on Low Back Pain