Symptom Checker

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.