[IROC]

For some further info, I'm 41, 6' 3" and about 215 lbs and in good physical condition (work out about 5 days a week - weights and cardio). In fact, this injury came about by exercising (leg presses). For sure I could work more on my abs, but overall I'm in pretty good shape.

The injury is in the lower back - I'm figuring around L4. It's in a spot that I have injured off and on for the past 25 years. I first hurt it playing outside (landed badly jumping off a big hill) as a kid and have re-injured it about 5 times in the past 25 years. Typically the pain is really bad at first and then subsides after a day or so and I take it easy for a month and I'm all good. This time, the pain was *much* worse and now 5 days later I'm struggling to sit here and type this. I couldn't even walk the first day.

I'm kicking myself because after the last real bad incident (about 6 years ago) I started a routine of stretching, etc. and my back felt better than ever...so...I quit doing the stretching exercises. One of those decisions that didn't pan out like I hoped.

If nothing else, I think I've done something a little more serious this time and am going to see what the doctor says about it. I'm going to resist surgery unless they can convince me that it is my only option.

Thanks for all of the responses. Lots of good information.

Mike