Question
What can I do for pain in leg joints,knees,wrists,tail bone,shoulders. I hurt 24hrs it hurts to sit,lay down on right hip or left hip or back. I can not walk like a normal person since June 2009, I came down with all this Pain in October 2008. I have ostro and l3 l4 disc bulge, l4 l5 diffuse disc bulge. Facet joint hypertrophy. l5 s1 asymmetric disc bulge/herniation with mild impingement on the right s1 nerve root. There is mild loss of the intervertebral disc space height at c5 c6 compatible degenerative disc disease. c5 c6 there is a stable minimal broad based central disc protrusion that minimally indents the thecal sac l2 l3 there is a minimal diffuse disc bulge l3 l4 there is a minimal diffuse disc bulge with minimal bilateral arthropathy there is minimal central canal narrowing there is minimal right sided foraminal narrowing. l4 l5 there is a minimal diffuse disc bulge there is minimal bilateral facet arthropathy right side foraminal narrowing   moderate to severe left sided c4 c5 facet arthropathy multilevel lumbar spondylosis and facet arthropathy most severe at l4 l5 where there is a mild right sided foraminal narrowing. punctate nonobstructing left renal calculus   c5 c6 facet joint hypertrophy c6 c7 degenerative disc disease I saw in 2008 a back doctor said no surgery pain management will did not do as did not feel relaxed when took the pill vallium, so did not receive the spine injection. I use to weigh 107 in 2008 and the start of 2009 as of June 2009 over 155lbs. I have been to a chiropractor in 2008 I think he made matters worst. Now have seen a doctor in 2010 he wants to put needles in muscles to check for nerve damage, I hate needles afraid it will hurt. What can be done besides drugs? I was addicted to a very bad drug had to go get help to come off of it, do not want to get on this wagon again. I just want to cry from the constant pain, the burning in right leg and tail bone. The constant jabbing feeling 24 hrs a day everyone says this is a part of old age learn to live with it, well have been hurting since age 55 now 57. I hate being a cripple,use to exercise 5 days a week with a stair stepper,8 lb weights,nordic trak ab machine. What can be done for the pain? My sister in law had back surgery she is doing fine.

Answer
Renee, you have some chronic conditions that are irreversible so you will have a certain amount of discomfort unfortunately. In my experience, a combination of physical/manual therapy combined with pain management, cognitive behavioral therapy and medication works best for patients with as many areas of pain as you. If at all possible, find a clinic that offers a comprehensive and integrated approach to treating orthopedic/musculoskeletal conditions. A facility that combines conventional treatments along with alternative treatments including acupuncture, chiropractic, nutrition and energy work may help you best manage your pain. I wish there was more I could do to help. Remember, having hope and a positive mental attitude goes a long way.