@heyjoe415 I lose track of my responses and what I say! So if I repeat myself, excuse me. I have degenerative disc disease. I am 67 1/2. I think we have some similar things in common. To answer your specific question diclofenac 3%, lidocaine, four or 5%, lidocaine patches, 5%, capsicum (be careful it can burn when the sun gets on it or you get in a hot shower), Biofreeze–– Bio phrases, over-the-counter, and it’s amazing and all herbal, for me anything that’s hot and wet heat, My Favorite Thing Is a tens stimulator wrapped in wet heat when I am at rehab, arnica creams, and a forever, favorite Aspercreme. I also took some oxycodone/Percocet let it dissolve in a little vinegar, then mixed it with some skin cream and keep it in a little cosmetic container at my sink.
When we get older, our rhomboids trapezius, levator scapula has to work harder to hold us upright, and those muscles are overworked and they go into spasm as our spine curves. We have to get into the gym and rehab, a massage and work on the front side to strengthen it. That is really important and you should ask your doctors and your rehab people about working on your scalenes and your front side to take the stress off your backside. I inherited my father‘s genetics. All I have to do is look at the way, he aged, and how gravity took its toll along with degeneration to know that I am in the same boat. My family on both sides all shrink tremendously as they aged interestingly, I asked to be measured and I’ve shrunk a couple inches. That all comes off of the discs. We really do have to share information to age gracefully