Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Ability to understand and willingness to sign an informed consent form * Ability to adhere to the study visit schedule and all protocol requirements. * Men and women ≥18 years of age * Current self-report of chronic low back pain (cLBP) which has persisted for the past 3 months AND has resulted in pain on \> 50% of days in the past 6 months * At least one palpable nodule or taut band in paraspinal, quadratus lumborum, or gluteal muscles * Reproduction of the patient's dominant pain with palpation of a muscle nodule or taut band * Predominantly paramedian pain (may be uni-lateral or bi-lateral) * Willing and able to lay motionless in a supine position on 2 different occasions: * 60-70 minutes 18F-FDG scan * 10-20 minutes 11C-Butanol Scan * Willing and able to fast for at least 6 hours before and for the duration of the scan * Willing to avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours before the scan visit Exclusion Criteria: * No Primary Care Physician * History of any cancer (except non-melanoma skin cancer) * History of spine infection (discitis or osteomyelitis) or spine tumor * History of ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, psoriatic arthritis, or lupus or other connective tissue diseases. * Confounding conditions that are known to be responsible for inducing pain * Implants at or in the region of the sites of interest * Diagnosis of any vertebral fracture in the last 6 months * Cauda equina syndrome or lumbar radiculopathy with functional motor deficit (strength\<4/5 on manual motor testing) * Spinal implants (including fixation hardware, spinal cord stimulator, intra-thecal pumps) * Predominantly central pain * Pain below the knee * Positive straight leg raise test * Symptomatic hip arthritis * Fasting blood glucose level greater than 200 mg/dl before administration of 18F-FDG * Self-reported history of dysphoria or anxiety in closed spaces * Pregnant or lactating subjects * Body weight more than 240 kg (529 pounds) due to the weight limitation of the scanner bed * Prisoners * Inability to speak, read, and write in the English language * Concurrent or prior enrollment in a separate research study involving a PET scan performed within the last 12 months for research purposes only * Any other criteria, which would make the subject unsuitable to participate in this study as determined by the Principal Investigator (e.g., subject has a Legally Authorized Representative and cannot consent for him/herself)