Lower back disaster - Muscle problem?

[Faust]

Ok. So the last 2 months or so i've been mostly sitting, studying or behind my computer. No cardio, some lifting. No real problems.

I finished exams, i was working a bit in the garding, picking up things (bending over a lot). Next day my back was awkward. Things got worse and worse during the week, my lower back kinda cramps up and i can hardly move. Sitting in a chair seems to aggravate it.
Now i spent three days in my bed, and it's getting better. Thank god, i was getting depressed about that shit.
Anybody have any experience with this? First time it happened. I'm thinking more cardio should help. I think the muscles deteriorated from the sitting down.

Also: my one leg is 1,3 cm shorter than the other, so i have scoliosis (sp?). But i wear some padding in my shoe...

Once i can freely move again, i will:
- do more cardio
- stretch hamstrings
- should i start deadlifting? (right now i only hit the lower back indirectly)

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[ripitupbaby]

Go see a chiropractor.  Ask around and get a recommendation for a good one.
This is my chiro...there's a lot of really good info on this website about chiropractic care.  Check out the FAQs, etc. 

www.nfldoc.com

[Butterbean]

You may also want to think about getting a massage by someone skilled at least once/week. 

[Montague]

Faust,
Not saying it is, but it could be…

My one leg is also a shave shorter than its neighbor.
A resulting affliction I often experience is in the low back region, but is actually caused by my sacroiliac (SI) being “out.”
The SI is a small, triangular bone found on either side of the lumbar.

My SI pops out with frequent regularity due, in large part, to my leg discrepancy.
When many other people notice a difference in leg length it is because their SI is out, or they have a pelvic rotation that causes the unevenness.

You need to find out if your problem stems from any of these.
Whether it’s your leg causing the problem or the SI, etc. you want to get it fixed. Any Chiro or a good PT should be able to do that for you.

You’ll feel a lot better as a result.

[Montague]

Just another thought...
If it is, indeed, your back then consider this:

Even when you’re spending most of your time sitting at a desk, get up once in a while, move around and stretch.
Try using a lumbar support on your seat.
I purchased a fantastic one from my chiro, but you can also find pretty good ones in places like Target, Walmart, etc.
My girlfriend and I each have one in our vehicles.

If you want to try it before dropping about $25 on a fancy cushion, try placing a small pillow between the small of your back and the back of the seat you’re sitting in.

And you’re right, be sure to stretch out those hamstrings as well. That often relieves much stress and tightness in your low back.
The looser those muscles and ligaments are, the less likely you’ll be to pull or strain something.
It’s similar to warming up before a workout.

[Faust]

Thx for the replies.

I'd love to see a massagist/chiropractor, but i'm a student and it's not really in my budget i think. Maybe next year when i start working.
I had pictures taken of my back last year, and they didn't say anything besides the length difference. The doc said i should wear extra soles for that leg and it would be ok.


My back is getting better now by the way.