“Is back nerve damage permanent?”

I know people hate this answer, but it really applies: "it depends." The phrase "nerve damage" is quite broad and may be a lay person's term or a physician's term. The best way to figure out back pain is to sort out the EXACT source of the pain. Is is a disc issue? A joint issue? Is a NERVE ROOT involved? Is it compressed, irritated, other? Having said that, not all NERVE PAIN is permanent. There a different kinds of nerve fibers which have different sensitivities to damage. Ultimately, if you sort out the actual cause of your pain, you can better define nerve relate symptoms, and any actual type of "damage" and what that means BEFORE you can answer any questions of permanency! Your doctor should answer this for you. If not: obtain second opinions!!