Dear Browntrout

LOng history, started off with minor back pain in 1990. Maybe a physio/chiro should have been the first choice before surgery,

YOu have had all these surgeries, scar tissue, excess bone growth, spinal instabilities from damaged supporting ligaments, poor spinal stabilizers all might be adding to the problems. YOu mentioned that once you bent to pull a seat out of a the deck of a bass boat and you had severe pain. you definitely have a very unstable spine hence the indication for fusion...

you mention that heat/cold helps...i presume this helps with the muscle spasm...

Are you able to bend forward? are you able to bend backwards? which causes more pain...?which relieves it? is the minor pain constant now? does it respond to movement? the numbness or ice cold feeling? do they come with movement or positions? if any of these symptoms are influenced by movement then maybe a manual therapist could be of help? if they are just constant sensations...then im not too sure,,...

you say putting a pillow roll under your left waist increases the pain...mmmmm...

you just may improve with a really detailed assessment...