Recently I've had random bouts of bad lower back pain. It hits me at random times (leaning over getting trash, picking up the cat, etc). I get shooting pain then it hurts like hell for about a week. I noticed the last two times it happened was the day of/after mowing the grass with the push mower.

Any ideas what I should do? Hurts like hell and I feel like I'm 90 (actually 42).

I've had off and on lower back issues for years. Never had an MRI on my lower back, but I'm pretty sure it's disc issues due to the symptoms, what helps, and what makes it worse. A few years ago I discovered Dr Stuart McGill. His book changed a lot for me. I had pretty much almost given up doing squats and deadlifts due to my issues. I've been back lifting regularly for a couple of years now and made good progress.

Anyway, I tell anyone who has lower back issues to start by reading his book.

https://a.co/d/d6ljWKI

Great recommendation.

MRI might reveal a bulging disc pressing into the sciatic nerve.

Have you tried adding stretching as part of your morning or nightly routine? I had back pain a few years ago and went to the chiropractor. After one session I was back to normal and the pain was being caused by my sciatica. I try to stretch now and have been still going to the chiropractor, but mainly because it feels good vs pain or issues.

Look up "Cobra Pushups".
When I hurt my back I started doing these based on several podcast recommendations (Huberman being one) The pain relief was almost instantaneous after a set of 10.

Mix in some other yoga poses, cat/cow are probably the other best. Do some deep squats and other stretches to work your hips. Sometimes back pain is really an extension of hip pain.

Motion is lotion, keep moving, walking & stretching every day. Might also mix in some dead hangs.
Once the pain goes away, work on core strength as others have said. Planks are great.

What you are describing is more common than you think. Your pain might be related to muscle strain but you are also describing some symptoms of discogenic related back pain.

Even if the pain goes away and you feel back to normal, you will likely have repeat episodes.

This could be a long post but what it comes down to at this time is to strengthen your core, glutes, hips and stretch…esp your hamstrings such as with a stretch strap. Pirifirmis stretches are great to.

If I were you, I would go to a PT with the ultimate goal to get a maintenance program of stretches and exercises you can do daily. You can find much of this on the internet as well but a few sessions with a PT will be better imo.

Based on my personal experience, I wish I would have done that 20 yrs ago. Most people lose their flexibility over time and core strength.

Discogenic back pain can be debilitating. Best to start on a daily program now.

I dealt with lower back pain caused by a herniated disc for 9 months several years ago. It is debilitating. I went to PT and the stretches mentioned above are right on. Also increasing your core strength. When bending over make sure your core is engage (tighten your abs). Just being more conscious of my movement helps. I've been pain free for almost 3 years and wouldn't wish that pain on anyone.

Most average gym people don't know how to deadlift correctly, which is a big part of the problem. That being said, depending on your anatomy, it can be challenging for some to keep their lower back in the right spot. I do more of a closer stance sumo as it's less stress on my lower back. But then I also do things like good mornings and hypertensions to directly work my spinal erectors.

To get me started...what are some good daily stretches that you'd recommend?

I can't tell you any stretches, but definitely start with the "Big Three" exercises by Dr. Stuart McGill, who is mentioned above.

KidDoc is spot on...

I'm no expert, but here are a few of my favorites that you can look up that you may like

Sphinx - similar to Cobra move mentioned above, just more of a passive hold than a push up
World's greatest stretch
Pigeon pose
Cat-Cow
Child's pose

Good luck! I've suffered with lumbar disc issues the past 10 years. Can suck the life out of you at times.

Get a cheap x-ray to rule out a kidney stone.