Training & Nutrition - Good exercises for back ache ??

This past week had some serious back problems. Thought I might even be having another kidney stone. Have since determined that to not be the problem. Back hurt from hip (actually even felt like side of hip) all the way up to my shoulder- mostly felt to be on my left side. Any ideas or link to good exercises for the back? Also, should you do back exercises while it's hurting or afterwards & use as preventive measure? I am taking a 2 week break from exercise to heal it up- is this wise or should I exercise it?
Thx- Steve

I actually just hurt my back, with pain starting in buttocks down my leg into foot. Yours is going the other way, which tells me higher on the spinal discs.
I would NOT do any excercises until inflamation goes down. Try asprin or steriods (from Dr.).

Excercises I do are:
1) LAY ON STOMACH, TIGHTEN BUTTOCKS AND RAISE YOUR BODY FROM WAIST UP KEEPING WAIST ON FLOOR.
2) LAY ON BACK, ARCH LEGS IN AN "A" AND LIFT ONCE AGAIN FROM WAIST UP.

There are many more and you should google back/spinal excercises to strengthen back.

Good Luck

This past week had some serious back problems. Thought I might even be having another kidney stone. Have since determined that to not be the problem. Back hurt from hip (actually even felt like side of hip) all the way up to my shoulder- mostly felt to be on my left side. Any ideas or link to good exercises for the back? Also, should you do back exercises while it's hurting or afterwards & use as preventive measure? I am taking a 2 week break from exercise to heal it up- is this wise or should I exercise it?
Thx- Steve

Cyclo-zen has a great set of stretches and exercises. They made a big difference for me with back issues.

Muscular back problems will get a bit better on their own, but you are likely to re-injure if you don't work seriously on them.

Could be angina. Are you an adult? HAve you ever has your heart checked, cholesterol?

Assuming there's no internal problems, like the poster above, one of the best thing for your back is strong abs. Weak abs put too much strain on the back. Do some crunches. Take a Pilates class.

These are the best just to loosen up a stiff back, I do them all the time

http://www.dcdoctor.com/pages/rightpages_wellnesscenter/homeexercises/back/exercises/exer_back_ex_madcat.html

I've found that back extensions using either a Roman Chair or an exercise ball work really well.

Don't forget the benefits of heat.
Best investment I made was a simple non-corded heating pad (Thermo-something or other) that is a clay material sealed in plastic that I toss in the microwave. It lasts for about an hour.
I place it against my lower back when I head to the car or am going to sit down for an bit. Also always use it as soon as I am dressed/geared-up for a group ride (and remove it before the ride).

Or do like i do, heat and yoga. Bikram yoga is done in heated room. Best thing i ever did for my back, and hips and IT bands, and......

Thanks everyone for the responses. I started doing some back & ab exercises last week. I am still off the bike, but plan to start back in another week. Been very hard to do with the great weather we have had the last few days! Your suggestions have been very helpful! Thx- Steve