as you do Shotokan, I assume you are doing the stances like the modern tournament circuits do them. you want to see a specialist and ask them if you might have Spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis which is the back pain most common in people your age. If so, this is caused by the stances you do. For more information read this as well

http://karatedr.com/are-the-stances-that...

sorry my crystal ball broke, all i get is the lottery numbers from last month.

you can either forward us a copy of the xray's or mri's or yoiu can see an actual doctor that can tell you what is actually wrong with your back, instead of a bunch of people guessing.

we are not doctors nor physical therapist, the only other thing i would suggest after yoiu see a doctor is to stretch and strengthen your legs. your legs back and abs all work together.

but first see a doctor.

We are martial artists, not doctors. Not to mention most people on here are kids. Are you really going to trust your medical issues to the medically uneducated opinion of kids? Don't be foolish. Go see a doctor.

Go see a doctor.

I am 18 years old and I'm into martial arts-shotokan karate. I've been noticing the lower back pain since probably the start of the year. I carry heavy bag to school on my back everyday since last year and I had to climb like a dozen stairs to reach till my class.

This year, the class level is ok but I still have to carry that heavy bag with all those books. I've also noticed that when I do the jumps for my kata, the lower back pain gets severe that I find it difficult to stand. I

Is it because of that heavy bag? What should I be doing? Should I stop practicing karate for a while? I'm having a competition like in 2 weeks and I'm training hard for that. I don't know what to do?? Should I be sleeping in a correct position? Please give advices!!