I have a pain that goes from my lower back down my left leg. i do not like going to er if i can help it. what can i do to stop the pain?

This pain: sounds like RADICULAR pain , that is pain from a PINCHED NERVE in your BACK (At the L4-5 or L5-S1 levels) TRY APPLYING HEAT (MOIST HEAT BEST) on your lower back (at the level of your HIPS) and lie down on a relatively FIRM surface! TRY ADVIL (ibuprofen) 2 tablets (400 MGM) after meals and at bedtime with MILK (to protect your stomach) Call your PCP as soon as practical for further advice! Good luck!!! Z

Rest and pain relief: this sounds like sciatica where a nerve is pinched as it comes out of your spinal cord. This is caused often by a disc between the bony vertebrae bulging out and squashing the nerve. This usually settles with simple pain relief and taking it easy after a few weeks. However if leg numbness, weakness, pins and needles, problems with going to the toilet or pain intensifies see a doctor.