Quote Originally Posted by solobiker View Post
I have had a bad back for about 10 years now. It usually bothers me about 1x/year. Well I strained it a bit a work, didn't think too much about it and then went for a pretty long hike last weekend. My back was hurting but it was not too bad. Well, on Monday it really hurt so I tried to move slowly. unfortunatley it was a very busy week at work...12-13 hour days. Starting on Wednesday it hurt so bad I could barely move and yesterday DH had to put my shoes on for me because I coudn't even cross my one leg over the other. It is in my low back and i don't have any radiating pain at all. My hurts with any forward flexed positions or if I reach forward with my arms or look down with my head. Anyone else experience this. It is pretty frustrating because I can barely move without being in pain.
Lidocaine patches have helped me when my back acts up (disc issues at L4/5). That and doing some physical therapy exercises.

If you haven't tried PT, I highly recommend it. They pinpointed things I was doing that were making my back worse. Now as soon as I feel the slightest tinge in my back, I start my exercises. Before I started doing this, I'd be out of commission due to back pain for
a week or so every year. I haven't missed work due to back pain alone since.