What should you do if you experience excruciating lower back pain?

Severe lower back pain may be indicative of a number of conditions varying in degrees of seriousness. WebMD recommends that people experiencing severe pain that is not alleviated by rest or pain medication should start with a visit to a primary care doctor.

Back pain accompanied by other symptoms may help pinpoint what is causing the pain. Numbness, tingling or weakness in the limbs may indicate a spinal cord injury, according to WebMD. Back pain extending down to the legs may be from sciatica, which is a strain that affects the sciatic nerve. If pain intensifies while coughing, it could be from a herniated disc. Pain accompanied by a fever or a burning sensation while urinating may be caused by an infection. For any of these, or any severe pain, a visit to the doctor is the best solution.