Lower back strain not healing

About three months ago, I managed to injure my very lower left back,
almost as low as where my waist begins, kind of right on top of this
circular feeling bone.  Not even sure how I did it, but may have resulted
from bad sleeping position.  Doctor did x-ray, MRI etc., and its
definitely something muscular or tendon.  Doc tried anti-inflammatory + two
steroid shots to the area, but not really a lot of help.  Then, I went to
physical therapy, and the PT said it had largely to do with tightness
in other muscles, especially extremely, extremely tight hamstrings,
which he said would be pulling on the back muscle over time.  PT
prescribed a variety of stretching and strengthening exercises.  Unfortunately,
after few days, while doing knees to chest exercise (on back, pulling
knee to chest, to get stretch in lower back), I strained that same
muscle again, it almost to me seemed like I felt it tear or sort of split in
opposite directions.  So, now even working with the PT is on hold by
the Doc until I get back to at least the pain baseline.  This is all
extremely frustrating situation.  My questions are:

1)  Is there anything with that very lower side area of the back that
is particularly troublesome and makes these things just heal very
slowly??    The Doc says most people recover with time or the
anti-inflammatory med or the steroid shots, but its really dragging on for me and
after the PT set-back hurts worse then even before.

2)  Does the theory about the muscle in question suffering from
tightness elsewhere, especially the hamstrings, ring true?  If yes, what is it
about the really tight hamstrings that would hurt the very lower back
muscles?

3)  Any other ideas or suggestions you might have for treatment, based
on your experience?

4)  Finally, which is better for something like this, hear or ice?

Thank you very much,

[Suri123]

Hi Carlback, how are you doing? I do agree, how frustrating and disturbing it is to have chronic low back ache as you cannot carry on your daily routine activities and even have a good night sleep. Soft tissue injury, muscle strain or ligament sprain does take a long time to heal and proper rest is most important. You need to know the triggering factors and avoid it. Local heat therapy would help a lot. It is better to get evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon and a MRI Low back could give the cause. Have patience, you will get well. Take care and share your thoughts.

[carlback]

Hi Suri:  Thank you for your kind support.  I have been being treated by a very good othopedic Doctor the last three months.  I had an MRI, and it reveals nothing, hence the Doctor concludes that it is something muscular or tendon related.  I almost wish it was something more definitive, even if it meant I needed surgery, just so at least I could get a specific kind of treatment!

[Suri123]

Hi carlback, how are you doing? Thanks for your reply and the details. I agree with your concern but sometimes-minor degree of changes in soft tissue does not give a conclusive detail to arrive at specific diagnosis or cause. One needs to depend on clinical findings in such cases and treated on conservative line. It may take some more time so keep patience and continue to take rest and heat therapy. You can always ask for a second opinion from a different orthopedician and discuss the care. Relax; I do not think you should be bothering of any surgery. Take care and keep updating.