[Rubber Ducky]

Agreed. Have the same problem and just can't lift what I used to. Sometimes, I walk with a cane. Actually, it is a pretty handy device on airlines, not only to get waved in early, but to pull luggage off the carousel, open garage doors and a lot of other stuff to avoid bending.

What has been the most helpful to me are various exercises to strengthen the back and leg muscles in the L5 region. Usually, they give you these after you've completed the series of four cortosine shots. You can ask about them sooner if you want.

Best way to avoid unnecessary medical treatment is to threaten to see a chiropractor. Such a threat unlooses many a lip of an MD. Then, if you find the right chiropractor, you can see one on the sly anyway. Here in Japan (sadly, our last week here), the insurance system treats all forms of medical treatment roughly equally with a 20% or 30% co-payment. Even then, your average visit seldom exceeds $20 unless it is for something dramatic like eye surgery, in which case it can go as high as $400.

[RJCogburn]

see a chiropractor

A reasonable option for musculoskeletal pain. Bad choice in this situation.

[Ladysmith]

The last person I would see is a chiropractor. One I had been seeing mistaken a herniated disk in my neck for "muscle tension", did a "correction", and put my neck right out.

Whenever I have muscle or joint problems, I head to physical therapy. You couldn't drag my butt to a chiropractor again ever.