Back pain: take it easy or keep truckin'?

[Warriorpoet]

A few years back I got a minor back injury while skiing - nothing major as It never caused me to stop skiing, and never gave me good reason to see a doctor. Since then, every so often on long plane rides, or sitting through a long boring lecture will give me some discomfort. Fast forward to 2 months ago, 1 month into my SL 5x5 training. Id been exercising with no problems until I rounded my back horribly for one squat rep (I knew immediately I had done so) at 155lbs. The back pain acted up again in a minor way, so I backed down to 145 to work on form, do foam rolling/stretching etc. Then for another 2 months I had no trouble.
Now last week it started to act up again. Although Ive paid close attention to deadlift, bb row, and squat form the pain is more or less constant. Ive read starting strength and been meticulous about form (though im sure not perfect). Ive even asked a trainer at my gym to take a look at my deadlifts, and he said they looked great (I have to respect his opinion b/c his form looks good, and today I saw him clean 235 and DL 435). I think I do squats and bb rows well too b/c I can feel very clearly my back arching in at all times (I think my proprioception is pretty good). I have a feeling this second bout was brought on by rounding my back while lowering the bar on deadlifts, so I made sure not to do that today.
So should I take it easy and maybe get an x-ray, or keep going, or just lay off exercises that stress the back for a bit?
My back feels good in the morning, provided I didnt sleep on my stomach, and gets progressively worse through the day from sitting (its sort of a dull ache). Lifting doesn't seem to make it any better or worse. Foam rolling, lying on my back, and spinal decompressions feel good, but the relief doesn't last more than 15 mins. I feel no numbness or tingling, which is a good sign. Mehdi, as I understand, advocates going to the gym unless the pain is more than 6 or 7on a 1-10 scale. Id say this pain is 5 at most, usually a 2 or 3.
Let me know your opinions.
P.S. if it helps, at 155 lbs, I did (today) 205lbs squat 5x5, and 215lbs deadlift 1x5

[honesty]

In my opinion, rehab a bit and drop the weight, then go see a doctor. Of all the things to mess up you really dont want to mess up your back.

[holvoetn]

Sleeping on your stomach is a killer for your back. Don't do it but you already know that.
You could have the start of a hernia, best to see a doctor.

I have a similar problem, also a result from rounding my back during a Tabata session of BW-squats (only felt it really the day after). But in my case the pain is slowly fading away as time progresses (already 3 weeks), I will wait a bit more to see how it evolves before going to a doctor.
As long as you REALLY pay attention to your form, you should probably be fine for your exercises but be vigilant for any sign of pain increase.

[Nicketzsche]

One thing that REALLY made a difference with lower back discomfort I was having (due to sitting around at work all day) was adjusting my chair so that it was tilted slightly downward (forces you do sit up and keeps the angle between your torso and legs greater than 90 degrees). It basically feels like you might fall out of your chair all day, but it's done wonders for my back.

Not sure you have an office job, but if you do, this might be something to keep in mind.

[Warriorpoet]

Im a student, so in class I sit down - today I sat with my feet flat on the floor w/ knees/hips @ 90 degrees, sat up straight but with my back rounded and relaxed against the chair back as per mehdi's advice. It actually was very comfortable and didn't cause any pain.Ive also arranged my desk and computer so I can stand while I type.

Today I felt a lot better, even though I lifted heavy yesterday. I think tomorrow Ill do squats 3x5 @ 50% or so, and leave out bb rows. If all goes well I'll cautiously add weight and back-intensive exercises, if not I'll find some doctors.

Thanks for the advice everyone

[Warriorpoet]

Update: I went to a back specialist and had some x-rays, and Im pretty sure they thought I was a hypochondriac or something because I overheard the x-ray nurse saying "I don't even see why he's here". So they said they would refer me to a physical therapist (which they didn't), but I got impatient and took matters into my own hands by starting to do the exercises at fixyourownback.com, which have been effective, I feel.
But all is not well. Ive discovered that I'll get pains for the next 36 hours if my back is rounded to much (obviously) or arched too much while squatting, so the challenge now is having the flexibility to keep a perfect lumbar curve all the way into a deep squat 75 times a week without screwing up once. Ive reduced my squat weight from 205 to 115, and even now I come up on my heels and struggle under the weight with bad form, resulting in back pain. I can't believe Ive lost so much strength in just 1 month! On the other hand, I don't think barbell rows or deadlifts are giving my back trouble.
Anyways, on friday my college gym closes until jan. 19th. I can either look for a gym back home and go there over break, or just give my back the month off and focus on curl-ups, side planks, and bird-dogs.
What is the best course of action?
Thanks everybody!

[NeilC]

I think you need to be very careful with back pain. It's a very complicated thing and a swine to cure if you hurt it properly.

I would highly recommend getting McGill's work Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance and educating yourself on your back and how to treat it and train without injuring it.

[holvoetn]

FWIW it took close to 4 weeks before I fully recovered from a 'rounded back ergo bad form Tabata BW Squat session' (as in: my back does not hurt anymore when sitting on a chair)
It never prevented me from continuing exercising but I am VERY careful and conscious about form since that mishap.