Deb I have a cysts on L1-L5 and it makes the discs bulge and push against my spinal cord so instead of surgery....if if's not broke, son't fix it......My pain management specialist gives me shots in there every 6 months and I don't hurt or anything. Been doing this 5 years. The swelling makes them bulge and hurt. The pain mgmt shots help. Ask a painmanagement specialist to be referred to you. Good luck. HUGS♥♥