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.