2) Is there the possibility of a bulging or ruptured disc?
As these injuries are extremely common, I want to know if this is a muscle and tendon problem or if there is the possibility of a bulging or ruptured vertebral disc. Although both these types of injuries can cause immediate pain that ranges from mild to severe, disc pain has some telltale characteristics. One common symptom, known as sciatica, is lower back pain associated with pain shooting down the back of one or both legs. Other signs that a nerve may be pinched are tingling or a burning sensation anywhere in the buttocks or legs, a sensation of numbness, or a feeling that part of the leg or foot is "asleep."
More serious signs that demand immediate medical attention include weakness in the lower extremities or loss of bladder or bowel control. If any of these are present, the odds are greater that pieces of a ruptured disc may be pushing on either individual nerves or the spinal cord itself.
3) What position makes the pain worse?
For each different cause of back pain, there are particular positions that will be most uncomfortable. This is an important clue in diagnosing the problem.
