When to seek medical advice
Get medical care immediately if you have severe low back pain that:
- Is constant or intense
- Causes weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs
- Is associated with new bowel or bladder problems
- Is accompanied by fever
- Is associated with pain or throbbing in the abdomen
- Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have back pain that:
- Follows a fall, blow to your back or other injury
- Worsens during rest or at night
- Spreads down one or both legs
Also, see your doctor if you start having back pain for the first time after age 50, or if you have a history of cancer, osteoporosis, steroid use, or drug or alcohol abuse.