Hey Teevino

I think playing injured is def not the way to go. You will only get frustrated with how you are playing etc. But as I said you don't have to go from the game. Practice your setup, use the time to practice your takeaway, the cupping of the right wrist, thats only moving the club 8 inches and shouldn't put pressure on your side, stop if it does, get your body used to ataining impact position. I have found that you have to resist the temptation to always be practicing full swings. People feel if they not swinging they're learning nothing but this isn't true. Its actually the total opposite imo. So, this is good time for you. Use it doing 'soft' things.

Not familiar with the book you mentioned. Golf digest have an article on it though. Breaking 100, 90, 80, 70. Check it out, might save you cost of book? http://www.golfdigest.com/instructio...kingintro.html
You are shooting ok though. Few questions;
Is your score being artificially inflated by an 8 or 9 on a few holes?
What do you feel is the main thing holding you back from doing better?
In a round are you always/sometimes/never giving yourself chances for a green in regulation (or very close to a green in regulation)?
If you are giving yourself chances, are you taking them?
How many 3 putts do you make?

Bit of course management might help to consistently get in the 90's. You need good swing fundamentals to move on then.