) are useless, as the problem is glial cell inflammation, which do not have opiate receptors. On a short-term
prednisone will stop level ten pain, but if used for more than a few days will cause further irreversible deterioration to the discs. What will help is a TENS device and transdermal lidocaine patches, worn for no more than twelve hours a day. Avoid muscle relaxers, which destroy muscle tone, and sports such as bicycle riding that cause and up-and-down force on the lumbar vertebrae.