[trebor]

I haven't had it "get better". Most the things I do make it bearable, and help to keep it from being a debilitating, acute pain that puts me out for a few days.

I do have to echo Yaa101 though: mobility exercise and stretching help, and my chiropractor helps counter some of the persistent pains. Stretches that target my legs and especially my hips are critical to helping the lower back relax and not hurt.

Ironically, the least pain I felt was when I played volleyball with some friends for 3-4 hours every weekend for a month or two.

[Tipewryter]

And you did not consider to keep on playing volleyball? Isn't getting rid of the "bearable" pain worth it?

Have you considered upping the volleyball to every other day or so?

I would happily invest full 3 or 4 days per week if I can get 100% pain free from it.

[trebor]

Well, since then I got married and moved several states away. I haven't found a group of people to play with, or a park with a volleyball net yet. Life kinda got in the way of that.

It is worth it to be pain free.

I was pretty close to being pain free, but upping it would be harder due to work schedule and geographic distance. I had to travel 30-60 minutes just to be able to play, so it was easier on the weekends rather than the work days.

[Tipewryter]

You don't consider putting your body above work and marriage?