My severe back pain

I am a 45-year-old businessman on the large side. I used to be a good sportsman until my hectic job schedule stopped me from having time for leisure. Now I have developed a lower back pain which sometimes radiates to both legs. I have tried all kinds of drugs to no avail. Kindly help me.

Bartholomew (by SMS)

As a former Sportsman who is now on the large side, your severe back pain could be a result of your weight gain as well as lack of exercise. Since the medications you are using have not led to any form of improvement in your health, my advice will be for you to lose some weight through diet and exercise. In addition, you should sleep on a hard surface (on the floor or putting a plank of wood under your mattress). If all these do not improve your health, then a proper medical check-up to include x-rays will be necessary.