So sorry that you are having such pain!

My son-in-law was born with scoliosis of the upper spine and we insisted that he go and try different things to at least alleviate some of it.

He went to an excellent physiotherapist and was greatly helped and now has methods to help him when pain strikes. He does take doctor prescribed pain relief medications when the pain starts up. But it's less and less frequent these years.

That is scary for you as far as I'm concerned that your pain is worsening even with ice and heat. I hope it is resolved soon. Hope your doctor is on the case quickly.

Sorry I don't have any suggestions for you not having scoliosis or knowing anyone who has. I'm just sorry you're going through this and hope you find a solution soon. Your poor body is really going through the wringer.

I have been dealing with chronic back issues and I've found that meditation has been helpful. One that I've been listening to is Jon Kabat-Zinn's body scan. He reminds me of all kinds of helpful things during the meditation, including: So long as you are breathing, more is right with you than is wrong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DTmGtznab4

I have scoliosis, and it's become a serious problem as I get older, but I'm not much help to you because there are many ways the spine can curve, and it doesn't sound as though mine is like yours. My spine comes out of the pelvis at an angle (instead of straight up, as it should), and makes a large C curve, pushing my left ribs out to the side. That's the source of most of my pain.

Have you tried any stretching exercises? Simple stretches several times a day helps me a bit.

Best of luck to you, Chisue.

Thanks for the commiseration, KT friends. It does help! I'm to see my primary tomorrow afternoon. The Cyclobenzaprine 5MG (muscle relaxant) she prescribed has not helped, but upping the tylenol-4 to one every five hours does help. (Prescription is every four hours, but I'd been limiting myself to every six hours for the stenosis pain over the past three years.)

PT prescribed mostly leg stretches. I have one to reach the floor between spread knees (while seated), then sit up and extend arms, pushing shoulders together in the back. I'd expect more 'upper body', not that I can move at all now without stabbing pain!

I'm going to check out your link, Annie. Anything that adds a sense of control helps.

I've had scoliosis of the spine since girlhood. With age, it certainly gets worse. I used to keep it under control by ballet lessons, pilates, and hanging from a bar for a few minutes a day. Also, massage can help this, but that gets costly.

I do not take pain medications for this but I find 2 things help it: daily walks and stretching out on my bed on my stomach a few minutes, several times a day.

This is hard to live with! I now have a gimpy walk because one leg is longer than the other and one hip is higher than the other. Carrying heavy loads is a real problem, such as grocery bags. Also,, I have to sleep in a certain way, or it gets worse.

Woodnymph, I can relate! Have you tried wearing a heel lift in the shoe of your shorter leg? It's not a cure, certainly, but it might help. It makes a difference for me.

Interesting what you said about stretching out on your bed on your stomach . . . I do something similar several times a day. It helps with my breathing as well as back pain. If I can breathe deeply and relax for even a few minutes, I notice the difference. I don't do as well with walking, as the muscles around my left ribs go into spasm.

I don't take pain meds either, and hope it won't come to that. I don't do well with them.

Thanks for the tip woodnymph. I'll try lying down, then rolling over onto my stomach. DH may have to roll me back to get up!

Chisue, if that position is too difficult or uncomfortable you could try standing on the floor close to and facing the side of your bed, then leaning over so that you're essentially lying on your stomach except for your legs and feet. I suppose the height of the bed plays a role here. My bed is somewhat high, and it works well for me.

• Thanks, Alisande. I'm going to have to wait to try most anything now. DH took me to the ER at 1 a.m. today, howling with pain in my left shoulder/back. This is Day Five since I woke with pain, seemingly just from rolling over to get up on Saturday morning. Last night I really thought that this must be a cracked rib -- the pain was intense. Ah, but no, it's 'just' a "spasm of thoraciic back muscle". ER doc pooh-poohed the Cyclobenzaprine and gave me Diazapam (AKA Valium) 2 MG; I can take 4 MG. Can't say I feel better, but am allowed to alternate this with the Tylenol-4.

ER doc said muscle spasms should improve in five days. Oh Boy!

Alisande, thanks for the suggestion of wearing a heel lift. I have not tried that solution. I hear you about breathing issues. Years ago, I was told by a doctor that with age, scoliosis causes many of our internal organs to compress upon the other, which would include the lungs. I notice this in my abdomen, now.

For anyone with this, if you can install a bar (in your garage) to hang from for a few minutes several times a day, it really helps stretch out the spine to where it ought to be. Unfortunately, I no longer have the space or place to do this.