i suspect a discal bulge compressing the iv foramen bcz traction is relieving the pain.

in old cases of discal bulge with fibrosis, extn may be painful bcz it further compresses the already compressed postr structures.due 2 this the lordosis could be decreased.
i dont think the spinal extensors can be tight bcz the lordosis is decreased.
prolonged flxn exs can further harm it ,whereas extn may not improve it but will certainly not harm it,
so i suggest u 2 continue tracn and go 4 an Wikipedia reference-linkMRI to be sure.