@kikake

Welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm sorry to read that you've had problems with your back that now require major surgery. I am a Volunteer Mentor and not a medical professional, therefore I cannot make medical diagnoses or give medical advice. I do offer my experience, knowledge, and support for members of the community.

In December, 2016, I had a laminectomy on my L5-S1 that has given me complete relief of the chronic and acute pain on my left side I was experiencing at the time. I also have chronic pain in my right hip, leg and foot that my surgeon said will require major surgery involving rods and pins to fix. He recommended that I try everything else first to relieve the pain. So, that's what I did. After 2 rounds of physical therapy, acupuncture, and massage that didn't help, I read about Active Release Technique ( ART ) on Mayo Connect. The person who wrote about it said it completely worked for him. In an effort to avoid the same kind of surgery you are considering, I decided to try it.

Research online by Googling revealed that ART involves very deep muscle massage along with limb movement that releases muscles and nerves that are bound together as a result of some kind of trauma. I then researched practitioners in my area of Southern California, and found that they were all chiropractors. I was skeptical about this, so I looked for the chiropractor who had the most ART training and certifications. I also checked with some people I trust and the chiropractor I had picked was highly recommended.

Long story short, I was nearly pain free after 6 sessions over 3 weeks. Hard to believe I know, but true. Over a year later, I am still basically pain free. I go for monthly tweaks, and a couple of times I have overdone things and needed some extra sessions, but it has worked for me. I am off the three pain medications I was taking previously. Occasionally when I have pain now, usually osteoarthritis, I take Tylenol or use CBD tincture. If my back hurts, I take a half pill of my Tramadol 50 mg that I was taking four times a day previously. I rarely need it and when I do, I schedule an ART appointment immediately.

Avoiding back surgery has been my experience, along with the much simpler laminectomy. Prior to my outpatient surgery, I was in a wheelchair, and prior to the ART treatments, I couldn’t walk up or down steps. I do everything I want now, pretty much pain free. I don't know if your back is beyond where I am, because when the surgeon recommended shots I turned him down.

I had watched my brother get multiple shots in his back and they didn't work. Both of my older brothers have had major back surgeries. My 76 year old brother has had multiple back surgeries, and while they have helped, they haven't relieved his pain. My 72 year old brother has had 1 surgery that helped him tremendously at first, but now 3 years later he's having a lot of pain. He does too much though, and will not stop hurting his back. So, I don't know if your surgery will help your pain. As my brother's surgeon told him, the surgery will keep him out of a wheelchair, but not out of pain. He was pretty much pain free at first, but kept injuring it by doing physically demanding work.

I'm hoping that other members in addition to @grandmar and @oregongirl will chime in here. I invite @lioness to give you her wisdom and experience as well. If you're willing to share answers to my questions, it will help us support you.
1. How did you originally injure your back?
2. How long have you been getting shots and what kind are they?
3. Have you sought a second opinion from another doctor?
4. What was your diagnosis after MRIs and other tests?
5. Are you still ambulatory or do you need a wheelchair or walker?

Please share more with us in the community. I am hoping the best for you.

Gail
Volunteer Mentor