Cap, I was thinking along the same lines as h2o. The problems with your back didn't just suddenly appear, you've had them for some time... you just know about it now. You obviously aggravated that nerve, and it may take some time, but there is probably a way to get it to heal. It happened to my hubs... he spent weeks on bed rest with it, went on prescription doses of ibuprofen, and had a steroid shot and after some months, the pain subsided. It's been 9 yrs or so, and he is still pain free, even with the underlying problems still there (and they are similar to yours). He does pretty much what he wants, but keeps in mind not to overdo.