Pain in the Back

I got a frantic phone call from my husband yesterday afternoon (just as I was ready to slip into bed for a cat nap). He asked me to send over pain-killers for a bad back pain. I guess he felt the pain shoot into his lower back at noon and it's been pulsating ever since. He called in sick for the first time today. Jeff won't see a doctor...but does insist on cookies and milk in his bed-ridden state. Some things never change no matter the pain! But seriously, I'm concerned that it could be an ailment that deserves medical attention. If you have any ideas for treating back pain let me know!