When I was 21 years old, I threw out my lower back while lifting a kayak incorrectly.
The next 3 days were spent lying on the family room couch, completely immobilized from the pain. In other words, they were the worst days of my life.
Since then, I have sought Chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic massage and restorative yoga and I have found them all to be extremely helpful and have not had a back episode for the past 3 years--well, almost.
2 days ago, after a routine yoga class my lower back suddenly gave out in the change room while I was getting out of my yoga gear. Since I'd been so proactive with my back care, it came as a huge shock! Ultimately, I believe my proactive measures helped to lessen the severity of this episode, as I am already nearly recovered and was still fully mobile throughout the ordeal.
I remember my doctor saying that the second time someones back gives out, it is usually much worse than the first. Due to my back strengthening precautions, I was able to ensure that this second time was not as severe and also not as long lived.
If you have ever suffered from back pain, there are steps to lessen the pain and occurrence without taking prescriptive drugs. A little yoga, chiropractic adjustment and massage can go a long way to helping strengthen your back.