Back pain stem cell injection, page-130

"Hence developing a medication that will target the area which controls the pain".

We already have opioids and marijuana, both of which target these centres in the brain and spinal cord, providing excellent symptomatic relief. The problem with long term use of high doses is well documented. Short term opiate use is definitely ok, and lower dose use over a longer time frame is probably ok, though not ideal.

The ideal solution is to stimulate the brain in the same way as opioids through close relationships, good family life and purposeful work life. And if that's not immediately available (which is often the case), through professional therapeutic relationship. Life can be extremely tough, and then if you add in a pain condition, all hell can break loose. But it is possible to come out the other end.

The lack of mobility resulting from DDD isn't something that anyone can change at present. Potentially, a prosthetic disc replacement surgery could achieve this, but no one is going to risk that just to get more mobility.

Getting a bit off topic, but chronic pain affects 1 in 5 Aussies, so hopefully someone finds this helpful.