Shari
I have had this most of my life and I'm only 20. U probably have a herniated, bulging... disc. This is made worse by spinal stenosis bec. there's no place for the disc to go but compress your nerves. I had a hemi-lamenectomy at 16 after 9 years of suffering. However, pt postponed the surgery and so it was helpful, especially traction. Good luck.