Ask a PT Response: "What exercises with weights were you doing which resulted in you straining your back? It probably would not be a good idea to go back to doing these exericses unless you are able to determine what caused your injury (ie. poor posture, poor technique, too heavy weight, too fast, etc..). As far as your question goes in regards to going back to weights and cardio, my advice to my patients who have sustained injuries similiar to yours would be to gradually progress with exerices in order to return to prior level. If an exercise increases pain it should either be lessened in difficulty or not performed at all. I hope this helps."