lower back pain - uncertain who to turn to for help

[ouchmybackhurts]

In short. I have lower back tightness and pain with inflammation that hasn't gone away for over a year. I do not know which specialist is best suited to treat my symptoms. A chiropractor, rheumatologist, physical medicine and rehabilitation, physical therapist, massage therapist, orthopedic.

A little history. I was obese and started walking several miles every other day or so. Everything was going well, until I started experiencing pain in my lower back. This halted my progress, as one morning the pain and tightness was excruciating to the point that I could barely walk or stand up straight. I stopped walking and doing most physically demanding tasks. The initial severity of the pain subsided; however, menial tasks still trigger tightness and mild pain to this day.

Early on the only thing I knew to do was to get x-rays. The x-rays came back fine, although, I believe I do have lower lumbar lordosis.

Outside of getting the x-rays, I have put off seeking additional help because I figured the tightness and pain would eventually go away, and I didn't know which specialist to turn to for help.

[specialmom]

Personally, I have had tremendous luck with massage and physical therapy (focusing on stretching an strength and release). I would start there. I would also try to avoid surgery.