I have been working on health site called peoplesmd.com. There is some great information on diet, fitness, and healthy lifestyle. I think you guys would really like it!

adequate recuperation of the lower back (Erector Spinae muscles and the joints of the thoracic & lumbar spine) must be considered. As with all muscles and joints exercised with moderate to heavy weight, it is necessary to allow the lower back to recuperate at least 48 hours (longer for advanced trainies) before involving it in another workout; directly (as a target muscle) or indirectly (as a synergistic or stabilizer muscle). For this reason, use complementary pairing of exercises within a program.

Maybe you are overworking your lower back?

My other thought is to wonder if you are stretching enough? When I get that familiar lower back pain, it’s almost always associated with tight hamstring and calf muscles from working out too much but not stretching enough.

I completely recommend making an appointment or two with a PT or a sports physiologist to learn activities to do for your core.

First, get the book Starting Strength (Rippetoe) immediately and read it this week while you are nursing your injury. The technique/form tips in that book have changed my gym experience. I’ve been lifting for 23 years and after my back issues I was sure I wouldn’t be able to squat or deadlift again. However, after reading that book and making the appropriate changes in the gym I’ve not only been squatting and deadlifting again, I’ve been doing it injury free. If it was me I wouldn’t go back into the gym without having read that book.

As for Verstegen’s Core Performance book, I have that one as well. It is a good read with solid information, but given your goals I would recommend Rippetoe’s book over this one. After you get your techniques straight, then you

might want to read this one.

Regarding rehab, it *sounds* like you’ve got a disc issue but I’m no doctor. Personally, I’ve had so many back issues I can tell when I pull a muscle versus when my disc is pressing on a nerve. If it is a muscle, you should apply heat (20 min), then ice (20 min), then get up and move around (walk). If it is a disc, then ice it (20 min) and then get up and move around. In my case the ice typically feels better than a couple Motrin.

Finally, walk. Walking is about the lowest-impact rehab you can do and it pumps those vertebrae so the fluids get moving in and out and new nutrients get in there to help repair things. When my back goes out I try to walk at least 3 times a day for a mile each time. (Another option is 2 miles in the morning and 2 in the evening.) Don’t sit for too long of a stretch without getting up and moving around. Don’t push yourself on the walks, remember they are for rehab.

Good luck with this and keep us updated.