Don't have the back/spine issues, but the ankle and knee issues have really gotten to me. Have seen some very positive improvements with the PRP prolotherapy treatments to the left knee, not any with the ankle but the next step is stem cell.
The chiropractor has given me alot of relief with the back aches from being on concrete so much, and even with the knee and ankle joint pain. Everyone that has seen my ankle, and I have been to over 6 drs. in the past 5 years, have commented on the amount of range of motion in the ankle even with the pain. So, I don't want to go to fusion but that is what conventional medicine is pushing.
I am now having some prp in the right knee and the shoulder and will do both shoulders as I can barely get my arms behind my back in the last 6 months. Said my rotater (sp?) cuffs on both are showing some wear but are both in place so the prp will hopefully strengthen the muscles and ligaments to keep them in place and improve on the pain.
Insurance does not cover any of this so have to space the treatments out more than I would like and the stem cell is more expensive. Have talked to several people that have said stem cell is the way to go; one guy at a cattle meeting heard me telling another friend how I was getting along, and just joined in and told how it had made his life so much better. Didn't know him from the man in the moon so kinda good to know. Also have some friends with show driving horses and ponies and they said it is common in them to do stem cell and prolotherapy type treatments for their joint problems.
One thing, acupuncture has definitely helped the pain in the ankle. I was skeptical and a little afraid of the needle idea, but you pretty much don't feel them, they are so slender, like smaller in diameter than a hair, and if you let yourself relax and try to imagine the pain reducing in intensity, instead of fighting it, then i see good results. I have been in tears a couple of times, and just that will take the edge off. Doesn't cure it, but does help and the effects sometimes last for a few days.
Good luck with his upcoming surgery.