Numbness and lower back pain?

Sciatica: True sciatica is leg pain that shoots from back, down the leg past the knee. This mimics the path of the sciatic nerve, thus it's name. Mri of the spine or pelvis would serve to differentiate in most cases if exam and history is not clear. Young patients more likely to have herniated disc. Older patients, pressure from arthritic spurs. All can be treated non-surgically if not getting worse.

Disc: A disc herniation in the lumbar spine could cause both back pain and numbness . If the symptoms persist or are limiting you, see your doctor, or a spine md.

Need to be seen: Unfortunately there is no easy answer to this one. If you have neurologic symptoms, you need to be seen. You can have spinal nerve compression or cauda equina syndrome for example.