Chronic back pain…

I’ve come to the conclusion over the past two years that healing an annular tear between L4-L5 is not easy and is slowly wearing on my personal fortitude. This past winter in Michigan has been a chilly one and has brought about some pain back that I was under the impression was near healed. So much for wishful thinking.

The idea of battling chronic pain with sciatic flare ups every day has become less than appealing. My massage therapist, being positive as usual, informs me that setbacks happen and that I should heal quicker as my body knows the path. Time will tell if that’s the case, but I am at a point where I have been contemplating surgery. However, it’s probably the last thing I want to do. Not that surgery is all bad, but I have friends who have had a similar surgeries and the outcome seems to vary. Some have needed multiple surgeries to one and done. So I guess it’s the fear of the unknown along with just having surgery and I do not want to go down that road unless I have to.

Another option that I’ve heard good and bad things about is spinal decompression. This is bit costly as it is generally not covered by most insurances, let alone is just another gamble. I guess it all boils down to a gamble of some nature. Decisions, decisions, decisions.