X-ray results in and there is no evidence of arthritis - rheumatoid or otherwise, fracture, or anything else untoward. Moving forward with doc’s diagnosis that it’s at least one bulging and possibly herniated disc that’s been causing my constantly annoying and annoyingly constant discomfort and / or screaming pain and resultant inability to run uphill at anything more than a limp. Solution: continue doing exercises they gave me (incorporating into my yoga practice as there’s a lot of overlap), heating it, and investment in lumbar-happy office chair and further office ergonomics.