I am a female approaching 50 . Recently I am in constant pain in my back upper thigh area near my buttocks. I have pain in my lower back and due to a fall in 2008 I have pain in my neck. ( I have had all kinds of treatments including therapy and shots but no permanent relief)    I am beginning to have difficulty getting up and moving, as well as standing in one position for very long. I have recently encountered swelling in my feet after walking for several days. I thought walking would help with the pain in my back. I have had blood work and my thyroid check, test results were negative, except my albumin was low and my liver showed a slight irregularity, possibly due to consuming aleve.  Thank you.
Hi, thanks for writing to Chat Doctor. Physiotherapy of back muscles in the form of stretching and strengthening of paravertebral muscles plays a major role in providing support to the degenerated spine thereby reducing the pain in an indirect manner. Even if physiotherapy fails to provide you pain relief, then you may try RADIO FREQUENCY ABLATION (RFA). This procedure is used to reduce pain especially chronic low back pain. Though the degree of pain relief varies from person to person, it is said to provide pain relief in more than 70% of the cases. Hope this information is helpful. Good day