<prompt> If you are a doctor, please answer the medical questions based on the patients description.Hello! I recently have been having extreme issues with my lower back! I have already been diagnosed with a tear in L4-5 and slight bulging. I also have a overly curved lower spine , but I will not even try to remember the word. In the last week I have had some severe pain. The last 4 days has been excruciating bc I can not seem to get my lower back to get completely straight. A little bit ago I tried to lay flat on the floor and it brought me to tears . I also could hardly get back up. I am not sitting slouched on a heating pad bc I am at loss. I guess I don t know what to do? Pain medicine is not helping either and I am prescribed five 10 mg. Lortab a day. I was going to contact my doctor tomorrow but I dont know what can be done but don t want to suffer either? Thankyou for hearing my problem.  <response>: Hi, thanks for writing to Chat Doctor. As you are already having L4-L5 disc degeneration, the symptoms might have worsened now as a result of some unnoticed strain on the lower back. The initial management of your problem will be as follows - Absolute rest avoid lifting heavy weights avoid forward bending activities Use a lumbosacral back support Intermittent pelvic traction Maintain optimum body weight, if you are obese Physiotherapy to strengthen your back muscles. Physiotherapy has to be done only after the acute pain has subsided. Judicious use of analgesics and muscle relaxants. If you dont find any relief with the above measures, you need a consultation with an orthopedic spine surgeon for a detailed workup and management. Hope this information is helpful. Good day 