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I had your same problem. I strained my lower back playing tennis. I was in bed for a week. As my pain subsided, I started to get severe stiffness in my legs especially in the morning. It was as if my muscles were shrinking around my bones. when the pain spread to my hands and I had to take Celebrex, I really got scared. The muscles in my legs started to become weaker. I felt muscle fatigue just walking to the second floor in my house. It was as if my leg muscles were deteriorating. I tried physical therapy, but it did not help. In physcial therapy I was doing a lot of stretching.   Doctor and doctor could not figure out what was wrong. Finally I went to one doctor and he told me I need to exercise. And in fact that is what cured me. What I found is that fully training the body with weights works!   I started out following Gilad's programs on TV (Bodies in Motion and Body Sculpting). He does a lot of good warm-ups, especially for the back. At first it was hard. My thighs were get tired pretty quick. then it got better. Soon I started going back to the gym. I am now in a weight training class (free weights) with a trainer. I lift heavy weights (like Body for Life system). I find that many exercises - especially upper body engages my back muscles. So I slowly strengthen my back and all muscles around it. By making the rest of my muscles strong, I put less pressure on my back to perform daily movements. I RARELY DO BACK AND AB EXERCISES. This only irritates my back.   Other things I did that really work... I soak in warm water with epsom salt at least every other day.   When you can...  get back massages and vichy shower (7 head shower) which works GREAT to encourage bloodflow to you back muscle which helps repair muscle.   I now do not suffer the severe stiffness. It is only slightly stiff.   Hope this helps anyone out there who suffers the way I did.