Casey told me 6-8 weeks, I said, I'll give you 5.  When I originally said this the idea in my head was that I would be able to start incorporating squats of some sort back into my training.  As the weeks went on, though, I decided based on how I was feeling...that perhaps that wasn't best.  So instead, I just eased back in this past week with 4 training days, light cardio, bench, etc.  On the third day I did some goblet squats and found that it irritated my back.  I will say, however, this time it was actually more of a soreness than anything else.  Although, I do still feel the pulling in my lumbar spine when I bend over.

I had been told about a prescription anti-inflammatory about a month ago, and never called my Ortho (until Tuesday) to get the script.  This is progress in my world - it did take me three months to get an MRI, ok?  Regardless.  I've started to take that, along with still taking the Turmeric.  I do core work every morning and every night, working on my bracing, and I also use a tens unit, on the LCF setting.  This is kind of like the TENS setting, but without the prickly feeling.  It's supposed to bring blood flow to the injured area to speed up the healing process.  I honestly believe I'm finally on the right track and that I have found the things that are going to help me.  I've been doing the core work, Turmeric, and TENS unit combined for about 2 weeks and I have noticed a significant difference.  I think adding the prescription anti-inflammatory and staying patient is going to get me over the hump.