Low back pain is the most common cause of incapacitation in people under the age of 45, with$16 billion of the$27 billion spent annually on musculoskeletal injuries going to the treatment of low back pain, and surgical treatments alone costing more than$8 billion. See your doctor right away if you notice any of the following pain symptoms: 1. Pain that worsens when you cough or sneeze 2. Pain or numbness that travels down one or both thighs 3. Waking up in pain while sleeping 4. Noticing difficulty urinating or bowel movements 5. Pain that is accompanied by urinary incontinence or bowel movements These important symptoms of back pain may indicate nerve damage or other medical conditions. A number of other causes can lead to these disorders, but early and accurate diagnosis is the key to successful treatment. Symptoms are roughly categorized as follows: functional, numbness and weakness, aches and pains, radiculopathy, and sciatica.