What are the signs and symptoms of lumbago?

Lumbago is an old term for “low back pain.” It is a symptom and may be caused by numerous conditions. In many cases, no cause can be found and no findings (signs) suggestive of a specific disorder are present.
The symptoms of lumbago include pain in the lower back that may:
•    be chronic or intermittent
•    worsen in certain positions or with movement
•    be located on one or both sides
•    radiate down one or both legs
•    be worse standing up and improve leaning forward or sitting down
Signs that may accompany lumbago include:
•    pain when pressure is applied to certain areas of the lower back (especially various muscle groups or the area of the buttock through which the sciatic nerve travels)
•    worsened pain when a leg is raised by the examiner
•    abnormal or asymmetric reflexes
•    loss of sensation in one or both legs
•    weakness of one or both legs