glad you asked! treatment for this type of problem depends on symptoms. it's possible to feel a lot of cracking and popping in the joints (including the back) when performing physical activities but that doesn't mean you actually injured anything. if you're experiencing localized soreness you can probably safely apply ice to the area. the usual protocol is 20 minutes on then 20 minutes off. and never allow ice to directly contact your skin; put a towel between you and the ice pack. if you're experiencing severe pain specific to the spinal area or if you have numbness or tingling in one or both legs then you'd be wise to seek medical attention. many conditions could cause these symptoms from a ruptured vertebral disc to a simple pinched nerve. but you'd certainly want to rule out anything serious. if the pain doesn't get better over the course of a few days a trip to the doctor is in order. you'll need a physical examination and possibly an x-ray to determine what's going on. hope this helps and you feel better soon!
felt ripping or tearing in lower back when picking up something heavy. what should i do?