[Zeke]

As an amatuer in the back injury business, I can tell you there are two types of injuries common to the back. They can be simultaneous. Spinal and muscular. They both can be very painful.

My wife has had two back surgeries, both for a disc problem. Recently, she and I both sprained ours back within 3 days of each other. There are no indications of disc injury in either case, this time anyway. The wife's sister also had a recent back injury and it was spinal, meaning there is disc damage (in my layman's terms). At first, surgery was indicated, but through an excellent program of soft stretching and exercise, she will be spared the knife. My wife will tell you surgery is to be avoided unless you can only crawl into the doctor's office after as much non surgical treatment has been performed with little or no results. No one we have ever talked to has come away from a disc operation totally pain free, even after lengthy recuperation and rehabilitation. It simply is a last resort.

My advice is to avoid any aggressive treatment until you've had plenty of rest and you're as good as you're gonna be, which in most cases is altogether free of any pain. In two cases, I went to a chiropractor on the day of the injury and they made things worse. Subjective, I know, but I'll stand (or lie) on my statement. In a few other instances, not much was gained by being there right away. I can do the hot packs and ice myself.
And, a couple of times it might have helped me recover more quickly be starting immediate treatment. The injuries are not always the same.

A medical doctor may or may not have much skill with chiropractic principals. But, he/she can damn sure give you some drugs and they can be of benefit. YMMV

Always warm up and stretch before any activity, or at least start out easy and slowly. This includes mowing the lawn or taking oout the trash. That ugly pain can bite you at any time. My worst case yet was driving 100 miles and then jumping out and lifting a chair. I hurt for two weeks.