I am in the same boat. My wife is not stronger than me, but she can hold things much much longer...Like the kids. My lower back is fire all the time. I took a big hit from a guy way way bigger, and from that moment forward my life has been pain ridden. But like you I have good stretches. Sometimes I forget about it all together. Sometimes it goes out from a simple turn at the waist...I spend a lot of time sitting down with all of my kids on the couch, just being close, to make up for lost contact with them.....