The spinal column is made up of a complex series of tendons, muscles, vertebrae, and nerves. Therefore, even the slightest injury or strain could leave you in a lot of pain--especially when it comes to your lower back. Lower back pain is easily one of the most common complaints from the average person, and does usually fade on its own with simple remedies, such as over-the-counter medications and a little rest. However, there are times when the pain you are feeling in your lower back is something that should be checked out by a doctor. Here are a few symptoms you should know are red flags to seek medical care where lower back pain is concerned.

The pain in your lower back is accompanied with numbness or tingling in your legs.

Numbness and tingling are telltale indications that there is something more serious happening inside of your musculoskeletal system than just simple strain. This type of symptom actually points to damage to the nerves that run from the spinal column to your lower extremities. The numbness and tingling could be due to unwarranted pressure on your spinal cord or something more serious, which means anytime you experience this symptom, it is best to go see a doctor as soon as possible. 

The lower back pain is just one symptom in a list of other problems. 

You feel unwell, you're not sleeping well, and you have major bouts of nausea or severe headaches--if any of this sounds familiar and you also have low back pain, it is in your best interest to seek medical care immediately. It is rare, but occasionally low back pain can be a symptom of an ominous diagnosis, such as kidney failure or even spinal tumors. Therefore, if the lower back pain is accompanied by several other symptoms or physical changes, you should not waste time about having the issue investigated further by your doctor, such as Hightstown Medical Associates. The pain in your lower back is associated with difficulty urinating, incontinence, or even disruptions in your bowel movements.

Occasionally, lower back pain is a result of some malformation pinching the lower part of your spinal cord, applying pressure to nerves that control your bladder and your bowels along with other pelvic organs. This condition is known as cauda equina syndrome, and can be caused by a ruptured disc in your spinal column or spinal stenosis, both of which may be treatable with surgery.