Suggest treatment for chronic lower back pain
Patient: i suffer from chronic lower back pain.  i saw two different back specialists about 5 yrs. ago.  one thought it was spinal stenosis and the other said arthritis.  i have retired and play a lot of golf now, and the pain is getting worse.  giving up golf is not an option.  is there anything i can do to reduce the chronic lower back pain?  (i have already done the steroid injections twice, and they were not very effective). Doctor: I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.Whether it has resulted in spinal stenosis or not you obviously have degenerative changes of the spine. Medication effect is mainly in alleviating the pain but they do not do much to slow down the process. The best means to address that is through physical therapy with stretching and strengthening exercises. As for the pain itself, apart from over the counter pain killers like Ibuprofene I wouldn't add anything else, in advanced rebel cases drugs for chronic pain like antidepressants or anticonvulsants may be considered.I hope to have been of help.