Q. Does the pain occur in the lower left side?
A. Pain is common in the low back as it supports the weight of your upper torso.

Q. Is it only on the left side?
A. It is probable that the muscles only on the left were affected as a result of lifting, moving, exercise. or not moving in a back friendly, or ergonomic way.

Q. Does the pain go down the left leg?
A. There is more muscle involvement.

Q. Does the pain shoot or radiate down the leg?
A. The nerve root at the lumbar levels are possibly affected.

Q. Is there a numbing sensation going down the leg?
A. Again, it could be a sign of nerve root involvement. A disc may have been dislodged from between the vertebrae or back bones and it is pressing on the nerve root which provides sensation down the leg, specifically on the left side if the pain begins in left side of back.

Q. Does it hurt when walking?
A. Putting weight on the leg that is affected can cause slight pain to a terrible shooting pain not allowing any weight to be placed on it.

Q. Does it hurt more when sitting?
A. While sitting, your left thigh is at a 90 degree angle to the spine, and may cause different symptoms of pain. It may involve another nerve root area or disc herniation in another place in spine or herniation is worse.

Q. Does the pain go down to the foot at all?
A. This may indicate further at what levels nerve involvement is.

Q. Is there discomfort on top of thigh or down the back of the leg?
A. Again, this is another way of finding out where the nerve root pain may be originating from.

Q. Should I see a doctor or a specialist?
A. Yes, if you have had pain for more than two weeks that shoots down the leg, you should see a specialist in back pain or orthopedics?

Q. What if I just felt my back “give out” while lifting something?
A. Use ice to reduce inflammation and take some ibuprofen for the pain. Rest the back for a few days. If it muscular, it should ease up within a week.

Q. Should I get an MRI?
A. Yes, if the pain has not resolved, get an MRI done to rule out tumors, and check for herniations or other causes of pain.

Q. What if I can’t control my bladder or bowels?
A. A back injury that causes you to lose control of bladder and bowels should always warrant a doctor’s visit.

Q.

Related Questions