Question
Hi, I hurt my back exercising last week.  It was very painful in the lower back, in the L5,S1 area for several days(I'm an RN so know the anatomy a little).  It is better now, but I still get very stiff and some pain in that area when I stand up after sitting for a while.  It is especially bad after driving my car.  I used an ice pack several days then have used a heating pad the last two days, twice a day, plus take OTC meds (Aleve, Motrin) several times a day.  I try to stretch it and am able to walk every morning for several miles, plus 2-3 times a day for a mile or so to 'loosen up'.  

What can I do to end this stiffness?  It doesn't seem to be getting any better the past few days.  I exercise on a regular basis but not now, it's killing me. haha  I hurt my back badly last year (herniated disc) and with stretching and exercise plus some chiropractic care it was good to go til last week.  Finally, this time the pain and stiffness was different: no radiating pain around the hips and down the thighs as when I herniated the disc.  Thanks in advance for your help.

Answer
when you sit you compress your disc even more. this is why your feeling stiffness and an achey feeling (probably not excruciating pain). you can try a TEETER HANG UP TO DECOMPRESS THAT l5-s1 DISC. or you can go see your chiropractor again. once you herniate a disc its permanent and you shopuld be seeing your chiropractor a few times a year just like you see your dentist (only a little more often to the chiropractor)
good luck!