Hi Caz

Listen to your symptoms. Think about what makes you better and what makes you worse in normally daily activity is there a consistant pattern is it always one movement direction that helps and another that aggravates or is it really variable?

Now take a baseline just stand and observe you symptoms what can you feel right now? How far forward can you reach right now? How far back can you reach right now? And how far can you bend side to side? Make sure you have these baselines locked in your mind. Next try doing the repeated arching back - you may need to do a lot. observe what happens. Try thinking about when it hurts and what happens with repetition. Does it just hurt at the very end of the movement? Or does it through the movement? As you do the repetitions does the pain get better and better or worse and worse or stay the same?

Now stand up and recheck your baselines - what is your pain and movement like now? Better, worse or the same?

Clearly if your pain gets worse and worse and is worse afterwards the movement is not right for you.

If its better after (even if painful during) it is probably good for you.

Caz - there are many different philosophies in the medical world which is why at times there can be contradictions - frustrating for all. It is great you are trying to help yourself and problem solve.