I have husband who helps me a lot. I am trying to walk short distances. I wish I can wear brace ordered by pain doctor. I have consultations with different doctors. Trying to figure out why I lost so much weight. I think from pain. I take occasionally Tramadol just to give myself brake from debilitating pain. My husband just ordered for me different brace to try . I heard that to wear brace all the time not good idea. Since my back pain started I been having numbness and pain in my knees. I am sure this pain is related to my back. What kind of Tai Chi exercises you were doing and did they helped with pain? One of my consulting doctors thinks that my pain might come from annular tears as well. It is very confusing.