@ksdm I get occasional back spasms but not as painful or debilitating as you describe. I do understand your pain and while opioids work in the short term they don't work in the long term without increasing the dose and the risk of addiction - just as you mentioned. In addition, as we get older (I'm 72-years-old) our balance is affected and so we are at risk of falling. I work on balance, by the way, through my workouts and yoga. Anyway, opioids and medications like Valium can affect balance and then we are at even more risk of falls.

I work with a personal trainer at my gym and she has a method she uses to "straighten" me out that works for me. It turns out that when I get twisted up from these spasms that untwisting me is very helpful. I also go to a massage therapist and have used acupuncture. I follow Adriene on YouTube and do yoga. It's free and she has some wonderful and very gentle yoga that is just for backs and balance. An added plus is that my cats like to do yoga with me as I'm on the floor on a mat.

Yoga with Adriene
-- https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene

Do any of my suggestions appeal to you?