low back pain

[baldbeagle]

I have been doing free style weights at a gym for 18 months or so. I thought I might have put my back out last night doing some dead lifts, but managed to finish the session. It felt OK afterwards but I woke up and could hardly move. The pain is located on the right sided of my low back and down into my leg. I am worried that this may be the end of my weight lifting career. I stayed in bed all day as I didn't want to be in any more pain and took a day off work. What should I do? Do I need to get an injection or something similar. I had some panadeine forte which took the edge off the pain for 2-3 hours. Should I get one of those full body screens that are advertised to see if I have put my back out or what's my best option. Thanks for helping.

[injuryupdate]

Don't worry about a full body scan - they give you enough radiation to breed a few extra tumours, let alone detect the ones you are already growing.

Sounds like you may have slipped a lumbar disc. If you need a scan it is an MRI of the lumbar spine (or CT scan if you can handle the radiation - these are cheaper).

Will see whether you have slipped a disc pressing against a nerve running down to your leg. Bad news if you have. Probably needs rest and no weights.