Wasn’t going to bother posting, but since back pain is a huge part of my life, I’ll offer my $0.02.

I’m an active guy… biking, running, lifting, gym cardio and even ice hockey. Believe it or not, the more active, the better I feel. Sitting in an office, and unfortunately, sleeping are both horrible.

I do think I injured it surfing… during the pop-up motion. I hurt it bad once and it lasted about a year. I tried again, and it’s hurt ever since (over two).

The pain originates in my lower back, and when it’s bad, will run down my sciatic nerve, down the back of my right leg, and actually wrap around to the top of my foot. It’s so painful.

Doctors were terrible. Chiropractors were hit or miss (the regular back-crackers were worthless, but I went to one who did A.R.T. (active release therapy), and I felt much better). Xrays and MRIs revealed nothing… well, maybe, maybe not… nobody could say for sure. Accupuncture didn’t work for me. Massage helped a bit. Yoga helps a TON… can’t say enough about it. Traditional stretching helps. I bought a home inversion-table, which helps too.

Anyway, I hope those things that I mentioned that worked and didn’t work can help some of you. If you have any questions about those things, I’d be happy to answer.

I sleep on an older (wow, now 14 years old) spring bed. I need to upgrade to a firmer mattress myself, and all the comments here helped. Thank you.

Oh, and since no doctors could diagnose my problem, I diagnosed myself as having piriformis syndrome.