Back Pain

I've had back pain for a while now. Bad back pain comes and goes, particularly after lugging around my heavy tennis bag or pushing myself too hard on the crunch machine at the gym. In general though, it's gradually getting worse.

A couple of years back when I was in Japan I never suffered from back pain and always wondered what people were moaning about. Some time after returning to London though, I noticed a strange sensation in my back.

When learning to drive I found the seat uncomfortable and after driving for about half an hour my back would be in quite a bit of pain. In the end I had to bring a towel with me each time to roll up and support my lower back. I thought the seat was designed for much taller folk but perhaps my spine just isn't quite right.

On the way to work and back each day I can't get comfortable when sitting down, no matter what posture I try. Even if I shove myself right into the back of the seat to support my lower back I feel a feeling of discomfort growing. Not really pain but discomfort. This cannot be a good sign. Even when I sleep on my back I've noticed that I wake up with a sore back.

I tend to blame sitting down all day at work on an uncomfortable seat. I've tried everything to sit properly at at my desk though. I have a foot support, got my desk lowered, have a wrist rest and even use my mouse left handed to protect my tennis arm and shoulder.

At lunchtime today at the gym I thought I'd use the opportunity to stretch out and relax my back on a Swiss ball while doing some crunches. Tonight I realise this was a big mistake!

Or was it the running machine? Can running hurt your back? I always wonder when jogging whether to maintain an upright position or whether this is damaging. Anyone know about this?

Today I was reading how scientific studies show that acupuncture is one of the best methods for the treatment of back pain. It so happens that one of my tennis friends does acupuncture, so I might give it a shot. It's not cheap though.