I thought I would dig this old thread up as it make me decide to tackle my bad back. Not by going to the docs but by trying to strengthen it up. I think that having strong muscles around it will help protect it.

Anyway I started doing the one exercise I have always steered clear of for fear of hurting my back, deadlifts. Started out with a very low weight, probably 10-15Kgs a side and built up over the weeks from there. I'm still not lifting lots of weight, 3 sets of 12 reps @ 100Kgs, but it seems to be working. Touch wood I have not had it "go" recently although it does ache a few days after training. Different type of pain altogether though and I look forward to it, means its working. Hopefully it will catch up to the rest of me and not give me as much jip in the future.