[jmills]

I've been dealing with degenerative disc condition since I was in my early 20's...I just turned 40...and I have done just about everything barring surgery. PT has helped, but the most effective thing I've done has been making my lower body more flexible. especially my hamstrings...if you have tight hamstrings it actually causes your pelvis to "tilt" back a tiny bit at the top which creates a lot of shear pressure at the base of the spine. I thought the PT was nuts when she told me that cuz I always thought of myself as flexible, but after a few months of steady stretching regimen my lower back pain became much more manageable and has remained so for a long time.