spasm [spaz'-uhm]

a sudden, abnormal, involuntary muscular contraction, consisting of a continued muscular contraction (tonic spasm) or of a series of alternating muscular contractions and relaxations; any sudden, brief spell of great energy, activity, feeling

Synonyms include: contraction, agitation, annoyance

Is it an age thing? Stress? Too much sitting at my desk? Too much sitting in my car? Too much getting up suddenly in frustration when Pau Gasol isn't rebounding? I have no idea, but I've heard and considered every reason. I've had a pain in my rear (back, that is) for almost two weeks and right now am refraining from too much ibuprofen and too much time on the heating pad.

I woke up a couple of weeks ago and felt this piercing pain on my lower back. I already know I have a questionable right ankle (despite the multiple procedures) and my head and shoulder area seem to be filled with tension every so often. But back pain - I'm not used to them.

It's funny what you take for granted, as far as your body's abilities go, when all the parts are working. For the last week or so, however, bending down to pick up the laundry basket is a chore; hell, turning around to look over my shoulder so I can change lanes is a pain. A fine line separates powering through the wincing and damaging something by accident so, I'm just watching myself.

I know I've said, "I feel old" a million times, and at 33, it's hard to imagine feeling so. But here I am, bad back and all. Time to find new ways to combat Mother Nature.