John, I thought I had "pulled" something in my back two years ago. I had back pain off and on for aobut 15 years, since the twins were born and I started lifting them out of the car all the time. So I did the same thing, lay on the floor, feet up on the couch, etc. but this time, after 3 days, I still could barely walk. So I went to the Doctor. If it feels like an ice pick stuck in your spine down low, it's not a pulled muscle, it's a disc pressing on a nerve. Talk to a back specialist (Neurosurgeon), not a chiropractor.

Turns out I had ruptured a disc in my back, L5-S1, and the MRI showed the two others above it bulging. Do you have the pain down the back of your leg yet? (called Sciatica) When that happens, you pretty much know you have ruptured the disc and no amount of "rest" will fix it. I tried the 3 epidural shots, every two weeks, but they didn't work. If you have not yet ruptured the disc the shots might work for you. I ended up having the Lamenectomy (disc operation) which put me on the couch for about 3 weeks and off sailing for 6 months, but I'm much better now and as long as I don't lift heavy objects (Inter 20 onto trailer by myself) I should be ok.

But my doctor said, "Nothing I can do will make you 19 years old again. You are getting older and will have to stop trying to do all the things you did at 19, or you might rupture those two bulging discs and need another operation." I was running and lifting weights, etc. He said to stop running, cut back on the weights, but swim or ride a bike instead, which I do. He said, "Never do any bending, twisting, lifting all at the same time and never bend 90 degrees at the waist to pick up anything, even a penny on the floor! Bend your knees, keep your head up and your butt down." You know the next thing will be knee problems!

Ever notice how many old guys are racing A cats?? I'll bet that has something to do with it, that and the cost! Not too many 19 yr. olds can afford a $20,000 boat! But as a father of 4, I can't either!

Also I noticed Andre Agasi is going to retire this year, he has bad back problems. He's only 37. I was playing tennis with my kid the day I ruptured my disc, I was not lifting heavy objects, I was 45 then. Getting old sucks, but what else can you do? Thank God for lighter boats! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Take 4 200mg Advil every 4 hours and lubricate with Smitticks at bed time. That is the only way I could get to sleep. Good luck with it.