Hello,

i am 30 years old, 6' 0", weighing around 165 lbs. In 2003 I injured my back by lifting and twisting a heavy object. The diagnosis was a protruded disc in the l5 - s1 space (5mm) and a bulge in l4 - l5(2mm). I was back to work in a month and pain free after about two months.

I continued my workouts as before, very intense, heavy weights without a second thought. I did not know that my back was still vulnerable. In 2005 I re-injured it doing squats and this time I was out of work for five months plus a quack doctor told me I should get a desk job with no mri and no x-ray. I later found out I had a 2mm rupture in l5 - s1.

It has been over a year since I returned to work and I am still experiencing pain in my lower lumbar region on a daily basis. It has been steadily getting better after working my core, swimming, stretching, etc. I also see a chirocpractor which seems to help.

Pain is increased with sitting for the most part but I have full mobility. I also have alot of stress at work. My question (finally): is my pain stress related and am I on the right track as far as healing and re-habbing my back. I want to finish my career at 53 and then go on to nursing. I can't stop thinking about a highly educated doctor telling me to quit a job that I have come to love.