Hello, I have carefully read your query and i am sorry for this chronic back pain you re going through. Based on your story you may have one of the following conditions: 1. Disc problems, such as a herniated or bulging disc. For this problem should have been treated with different pain medications such as Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen/ Naproxen and opioids such as Codeine or other stronger pain killers . An MRI is advised if pain doesn t get better and you have other symptoms such as numbness in your foot, feeling cold, pain radiating from the lower back to lower leg and foot or toes, tingling sensation etc. 2. Arthritis of the spine —the gradual thinning of the cartilage inside the spine. 3. Spinal stenosis —narrowing of the spinal canal that may lead to nerve pain. 4. Myofascial pain syndrome—unexplained muscle pain and tenderness. If you were my patient i would have advised you to have an MRI and see what is the grade of the herniated disc. If you did not want to do surgery, i would have probably advise the following: 1. Physical therapy and rehabilitation 2. Counseling 3.. If oral pain killers do not help , i would suggest you seeing a Pain Management specialist. This specialist will injected steroids and/or anesthetics in your spine to block the pain. 4. Surgery is indicated if you have cauda equina syndrome ( inability to void/ urinate , severe or progressive neurologic deficit such as inability to feel your buttocks or failure to improve after 6 weeks of conservative therapy with oral pain medications. I would suggest you talking to your physician and decide what is the best option for you. I hope I have answered your query and hope you will feel better soon.. Let me know if I can assist you further. Kind Regards, Dr. Ledia Qatipi General & Family Physician