Question
Im a gymnast that did a stunt and caught my partner by bending over with my back instead of using my legs. (Im 22 yrs old and kinda old for the sport)
I saw a chiropractor who did an adjustment, acupunture, and suggested an MRI to make sure it wasnt a herniated disk. The MRI came back fine and showed nothing. My pain is when I lean forward or arch backwards or when I "curl" my hips in anyway. There is no pain in my legs or butt but I did notice numbness in my arm a couple times. I have frequent migraine headaches and neck problems also though.
The back is not improving with rest, ice and aleve after 4 weeks. Is it pulled muscle? Any ideas?

Answer
Hi A.L.,

Really?... 22 years old is too old for gymnastic?  Learning something new every day.  Thanks for sharing.

OK, back to business.  It doesn't seem to be a muscle injury.  The reason is that you should feel better with each day passed.  The body will repair itself if it was the muscle damage.  The MRI is negative indicating no herniated disc which is great.  Was there an X-ray taken of your low back?  From your history and activities, I would be looking more toward arthritis of the lumbar spine or low back bone.  There are two ways to find out if you have arthritis...

1.  blood test
2.  X-ray

Eventhough you are 22 y/o, gymnastic activities if taken to extreme can cause early arthritic change known as osteoarthritis or other boney changes.  This could explain why your pain has not gotten better with rest, ice, massage or pain medication.  If that is the case, acupuncture can surely manage the pain for you and correct posture with proper strengthening exercises prescribed by a chiropractor can help to prevent the pain from coming back.  

Hit me back with what the doctor finds.