It really started bothering me last year at this time. My osteopath that I've been going to for years just can't relieve the pain any more, so mri, rehab, epidural shots directly into the vertibrae which helped for a short while, I had 3 done and those hurt pretty bad. Then on to the pain pills 3 different strenghths, finally I woke up one morning and could hardly get from the bed to the easy chair. I was treating the pain but the body just couldn't handle it anymore so surgery is all that is left. The doc seems to think it wll be just fine a 30 minute operation and a month off work no restrictions. We'll see.