Question
I have recently had flare up of extreme pain in my lower right back, I had a diagnosis of spondylosis around 15 years ago and have had problems with my back since I was around 12 years of age I am now 43 and wonder if I will be able to stop taking tramadol and diffene at some stage. I am worried about the long term affects of taking these meds, I was on surgam for nearly 7 years previously and had to stop taking them as doc said there was a chance of liver damage. My radiology report from last week is as  follows: Report: Lumbosacral Spine there is a marked narrowing of most of the intervetabral disc spaces, there are large anterior and posterior osteophytes at every level. No destructive or traumatic lesions are shown, there is normal vertebral alignment. Impression: severe degenerative changes particularly at the lumbosacral junction. Please could you tell me how serious this is  I want to continue working and am unable to do so without the painkillers at the moment Thankyou

Answer
Hello, Ginny.

Narrowing of intervertebral disc spaces, osteophytes (bone spurs) and spondylosis typically indicate habitually contracted back muscles and compression of vertebrae.

My recommendation would be a course of somatic education to alleviate the contracted state.

May I guide you to my write-ups on back pain:

http://www.somatics.com/chronic_back_pain.htm
http://www.somatics.com/back_pain.htm
http://www.squidoo.com/Pain_Management_through_Movement_Education

and on self-help

http://www.squidoo.com/somatic_self-help_resources

Best:  sessions with a practitioner

http://www.hannasomatics.com/practitioners