@maxine50 It sounds like you may be describing scoliosis. I understand not wanting spine surgery and that may be very difficult at your age. Physical therapy can help a lot of conditions. What happens when the spine is off balance, is the muscles can hurt that support the spine. I do get muscle spasms, and I do some work with my physical therapist called myofascial release which stretches out overly tight tissue. Would a back brace help you? What has your doctor suggested? It also sounds like back massages make you feel better, and that probably loosens up some tight muscle.