Symptoms

Low back pain is the most prevalent cause of disability in people under age 45, and of the $27 billion spent on all musculoskeletal trauma $16 billion is spent in the management of low back pain, more than half of that $16 billion being spent on surgical treatment.

If you have any of the following back pain symptoms, contact a doctor immediately:

• Pain is worse when you cough or sneeze
  
• Pain or numbness travels down one or both legs
  
• Pain awakens you from sleep
  
• You are finding it difficult to pass urine or have a bowel movement
  
• Pain is accompanied by loss of control of urination or bowel movements

These important back pain symptoms could signal nerve damage or other serious medical problems. There are many other conditions that could be causing these problems, but an early and accurate diagnosis is vital for successful treatment.