[backinback2]

Hi guys,
I was wondering if anyone could help interpret this MRI. I'm 42. When I play basketball or workout (more and more infrequently now because of the effects), my back swells. This time, I couldn't walk for 2 days from a half hour workout. My whole lower back is hugely swollen. Hard to stand. I got an MRI and the results are below. I want to know if anyone has any experience reading this? Anything I should be concerned about?

And most importantly, any ideas on what I can specifically do to repair it? Exercises, yoga, stretching, swimming, sleeping methods, etc? I don't want to reaggravate but I would like to strengthen the area. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE LUMBAR SPINE:

FINDINGS:
There is a slight broad right apical curvature and loss of lordosis. There is no evidence of fracture. The conus is not low lying.

T12-L1 through L2-3: There is no stenosis or disk herniation.

L3-4: There is a 3-4 mm broad leftward bulge or protrusion with mild to moderate left neural foraminal stenosis. The central canal is nonstenotic.

L4-5: There is decreased disk signal and space height. There is a 3-mm broad leftward bulge with mild left neural foraminal stenosis. The central canal is mild to moderately stenotic.

L5-S1: There is a 3-4 mm left greater than right bulge or protrusion with moderate left greater than right neural foraminal stenosis. The disk indents the thecal sac with mild central canal narrowing.

IMPRESSION:
* There is a slight broad right apical curvature and loss of lordosis.
* L4-5: There is decreased disk signal and space height. There is a 3-mm broad leftward bulge with mild left neural foraminal stenosis. The central canal is mild to moderately stenotic.
* L3-4: There is a 3-4 mm broad leftward bulge or protrusion with mild to moderate left neural foraminal stenosis. The central canal is nonstenotic.
* L5-S1: There is a 3-4 mm left greater than right bulge or protrusion with moderate left greater than right neural foraminal stenosis. The disk indents the thecal sac with mild central canal narrowing.