Question
Hi Gary, I have lived with upper back pain for 12 years now,but 2 years ago the bottom of my back went and I could not walk. I would be very grateful if you could tell me what my mri results mean,there is some minor disc degeneration at L/5 with a slightly left sided posterior annular tear and disc bulge which may be causing some left S1 nerve root irritation. Some further lateral recess narrowing is evident at L4/5 again on the left, due to facet arthrosis some further facet arthrosis noted at L3/4,I have been off work now for a year and live in so much pain,and wonder which pain killer would help me. Thank you.

Answer
Hello Elaine,

First, I am very sorry to hear about your situation. I know that it cannot be easy to deal with the pain you deal with everyday. My expertise does not include which pain killer would be best for you, so I'm sorry for that.  However, I would like to offer you something that may help tremendously, and if it doesn't help it will not make things any worse.

I have a totally free website at
http://www.do-it-yourself-joint-pain-relief.com/
where I show people how free themselves from pain by releasing the inappropriately tight tissue that is compressing your spine and pulling the nerves that cause pain.
 
On the homepage I describe how your muscles are like the rigging (ropes) on a big old-fashioned sailboat, all pulling off each other to get us stand, move, sit, etc.  When some rigging (muscles) get too tight they pull things out of position and cause pain.

With you, it sounds like you have some degeneration of your joints (spine) going on, so I want to be clear that I realize it's not just the muscles that are the issue.  BUT, I do think you could possibly get some substantial relief by doing some of the things I show you on my website.  By freeing the tissue you can create more space and freedom for the joints and nerves, and very possibly, less pain for you.

I would recommend you read through the homepage, and then go to the Lower Back Pain Page:
http://www.do-it-yourself-joint-pain-relief.com/lower-back-pain-relief.html
I would hope you would find substantial relief from this page.
Also, if you go to the Site Map page:
http://www.do-it-yourself-joint-pain-relief.com/joint-pain-relief-site-map.html
and scroll down to the lower back section you will a lot of additional pages for lower back pain.  I think you may benefit a lot from both the "Release the Front of Your Back" page:
http://www.do-it-yourself-joint-pain-relief.com/lower-back-pain-remedy.html
and the "Tennis Ball Tune-Up" page:
http://www.do-it-yourself-joint-pain-relief.com/lower-back-pain-remedy-tennis-ba
If you're in bed a lot, you can do the "tennis ball tune-up" techniques with a softball. It's better if you're lying on a mattress.

You may find complete relief from the above techniques, which would be wonderful. And you may find only temporary relief, but then at least you'll have a tool to be able to help yourself with your pain.

I do hope you will at least give these pages and videos a look.  I help people like you in my practice all the time.  Some get permanent relief, others get substantial relief that requires some regular maintenance.  Very, very few get no benefit.

I do sincerely hope this helps.

Best,

Gary