Your question involves pain down your lower back and left side, and in front of your body between your thigh and stomach going down your inner thigh.

These two referral zones of pain, may or may not be related, depending on whether or not you feel the pain "traveling in a line" from your back to these areas. The most common reason for this type of pain can include:

1. Spinal disc bulging: As a nerve root that exits the spine is compressed on by a disc, it can create nerve symptoms such as sharp or shooting pain, numbness, or even tingling to the skin/muscles that operate on that given nerve root.

Other conditions that create similiar pain patterns may include: Spinal stenosis, facet joint arthritis or inflammation, or even sacro-iliac joint dysfunction.

Its generally agreed that this type of pain warrents the need for either X-rays, or MRI to check for spinal abnormalities as mentioned above. Then, the appropriate therapeutic techniques may be prescribed.

In the meantime, general tips for reducing pain until you get in to see your doctor may include:

1. Getting off your feet. Many times standing increases pain in most back pain sufferers. This is due to the effects of gravitational stress going through your spine. The most common position of relief is lying on your back with pillows under your knees.

2. Ice or heat application: If you feel "inflamed", then ice can be an appropriate therapy. 15-20 minutes of ice application, on top of a thin towel over the painful area in your back can be effective at reducing inflammation. This can be repeated 2-3 times per day. Heat application may include a warm compress or heating pad, for no more than 15 minutes at a time. Again, this may be repeated 2-3 times per day or more.

3. OTC anti-inflammatories: Over the counter anti-inflammatories such as Ibuprofen, Acetamenophen, or Aspirin can be helpful at reducing discomfort. As long as you don't have any significant counter-indications for usage, they can be helpful.

Sam Visnic NMT
www.Endyourbackpainnow.com/blog