Young Athlete Lower back issue that kind of scares me- help!

[HSathlete]

Hello, I am 18 and I am an avid weightlifter and football player (just committed to play collegiate) Everything about me is healthy besides my lower back. It is painful unless I pop it. I pop it simply by flexing my abs, kind of like squeezing one out (sorry, but i didnt really know another way to describe it) Today I went canoeing and it was really starting to bother me at mile five and after popping it close to 100 times during the 15 mile tedious trip, i really figured it was time to ask someone about it.  I wish I could say that was it, but later when I got home, my left butt cheek went numb for no reason for about two hours. During the small amount of time writing this, i've popped my lower spine atleast 3 times.
I also feel considerable pain after squating anything 500+.....Please give me some good news. thanks soo much in advance

p.s i also wake up in the morning with a really stiff lower back very often- and feeling like the tossing and turning took quite abit away from my sleep.

[HSathlete]

what about a chiropractor?

[PaulMD]

It seems that you may be overdoing things and putting a lot of stress on your lower back.  What's happening may be that the discs between your spine are slowly degenerating due to wear and tear (even at your own age) due to all the stress this area has been receiving.  I suggest you talk with your sports physician regarding tests like MRI or X-rays to see the condition of the spine.