This isn't strictly Martial Arts related, but there is a tenuous link!
I woke up the other morning unable to move my right arm without extreme pain in my right shoulder blade. The day before I had been moving a lot of heavy band equipment and shopping about, but I do that regularly without problems.
I haven't seen my osteopath yet, since he only works Wednesdays and Fridays and he had no appointments on Friday so I don't know for sure what happened but I'm guessing it's a trapped nerve.
After talking with Pete I've been thinking of taking up Taekwondo (first time I'll ever have done a martial art) in the new year and was wondering how long I should leave it before I do this? I don't want to risk further injury to my back, but I also know that getting fit and strengthening my back muscles would prevent it happening again!
Sorry for the stupidly long post!

This is definitely martial arts related!

Back pain is horrible, and you can do heavy lifting as normal and then do something like pick up a pencil and throw your back out.

Yours sounds pretty painful, I wouldn't do anything until you have seen your osteopath!

Glad to hear you want to start Taekwondo, you are welcome to come along to my club in Lawnswood, its a small friendly concern and Ian's training fees are very cheap. He's also a chartered physiotherapist, which is very handy for people with back problems!

Let me know when you want to start training.

Did your back get better in the end Ian?

I had a dodgey back too a few weeks ago, a GP mate of mine suggested swimming, after a long session in the pool I felt 10 times better!

Theres a good place in the victoria called Neils Yard too that have trained osteopaths in if its still playing up!)

Yeah it's been a lot better thanks - my osteopath sorted it out. He's pretty good - shame he's 45mins away really!

Bit late here, however any sort of serious back pain is nothing to let go unattended. I have had my share of different levels of back pain over the years. However it was not until 10 years ago that I started to see my Chiro on a regular basis. I can honestly say that he has saved my back on countless occasions. I know that as I age, it takes longer to recover from back injuries.

As much as I workout, and do a decent job at strengthening my core, the one exercise that still kills me is the low back extensions. Does not seem to matter to what degree I do my extension, I still get knotted up for a few days after