Pain travelling down one leg worse than the back pain, is usually nerve root pain or sciatica. It can reach the foot and be associated with numbness and tingling. The treatment is the same provided the pain is resolving within 4 weeks. You should see a doctor urgently, if your bladder isn't working normally or if you feel numb around your bottom. The old fashioned treatment for back pain was prolonged bed rest.
Research shows that bed rest for longer than a day or two actually delays recovery.
Your bones and muscles get weaker and stiffer making it harder to get going again. You get depressed and the pain feels worse. The amount you can do will depend on how bad your back feels. Take something to control the pain. Your back is not badly damaged.