If you strain or injure your back don't try popping a few pills and toughing it out. I did and ended up only injuring a lot more severely. I have had two back surgeries but the last one did the job and I finally am living again without pain. For anyone with back problems here is an excellent source for learning to prevent and deal with the pain. It is a back surgery site but has a huge selection of articles on preventing and curing back pain.
http://www.herniateddiscbacksurgery.com/