From February 1991 to June 1991, appellant worked as a machinist for Arkansas Precision and Hydraulics. In June 1991, he began work as a machinist for appellee and worked until October 1992 when he incurred his compensable injury. Appellant stated that he did not experience any difficulty in performing his jobs prior to the compensable injury. Appellant stated that he sustained an injury to his lower back and neck while engaging in heavy lifting at work on October 31, 1992. Tests at that time resulted in a diagnosis of lumbar strain.
Records indicate that appellant was treated with medication and physical therapy.
He remained off work the rest of the week. He returned to work the following Monday and left work on Wednesday to go to the emergency room complaining of cervical and lumbar pain. Appellant first saw Dr. Gocio for the October 1992 injury on January 25, 1993. There was no evidence of disc herniation. Dr. Gocio diagnosed lumbar strain and continued with conservative treatment.