Back pain...

I feel you buddy. First thing i will tell you is stop the heat. Your back is hurting because it is inflamed" HOT ". Used ICE. Biofreeze is good to use with ice. I would say the next would be find a good chiropractor. Do alot of research and if they do not do x-rays first find another one. I delt with 3 herniated disc's for 10 years and went from being layed up to ok countless times avoiding surgery. Then in 2007 i had leg pain and it got worse fast and i continue to work. my chiropractor told me nothing he could do would help that if after this time i was getting worse. I am sure carring hogs on my back helped alot the whole time when i would feel better. Long story short i tried Spinal decompression therapy and when i was done i could not walk anymore and they tore my sacral nerve. I tried epiderals and everything else while using a walker and a cane when i was good. a year later i got into the University of Florida and had my first surgery. That did not work. Had a second surgery 6 months later and they put in 6 screws and 2 rods from L5.S1, L-5 and L-4. Rehad was a bitch. 6 months later i got worse and found out i fractured the bottom disc and the screws were coming out. A year later a Third surgery, Now i have a 7th screw thru my tailbone and into the bottom of my spine because i did not fuse. I have degenerative disc disese. They can't tell that ahead of time. I have heard their is a Doctor in Texas that uses titanium disc implants and that removes the fusing worry. I don't know the name but i am sure you can find him. That is where some of the UFC fighters have gone and had surgery done. I tried but at the time my doctor said they were experimental and he could not use them.. I will tell you after 4 years of total hell and going broke i am able now to go hunting as long as i have people that can carry what we catch, don't run and be somehwat smart. I have learned to enjoy life the best i can and do well. It is amazing what you can get use to. Toby Keith said it best, "I am not as good as i once was but i good once as i ever was" I am on daily meds but i am not miserable or a zombie as i was when i was layed up in bed. looking back the only regret i have was trying that therapy that tore my pinched nerve without a x-ray.. I still use a cane when the leg pain is bad but over all i am better and glad i did it all. You just have to decide what is better and if you have had enough. I decided fighting it was best for me and not letting it keep me down. You will know but finding a good Doctor is the key and take the best care of your back that you can. If you do decide on surgery file for SSI now because it took me 3 years to get it, SSI is for anyone that has a injury that will keep them from working a year or longer. If you get better then great and drop it and go back to work. If not atleast you have something and insurance. They try to starve you and hope you die before they pay. I never thought at 43 years old i would be like this but life is good now and i am hunting with my Son and good friends and take care of my own dogs . Good luck and i hope some of this helps and make things easier on you. Prayer helped me alot.