I have stenosis and cervical spondylosis in my neck. Massage didn't help with the spasms, although it felt great. The gal had arms like a linebacker and I told her to use them! Had injections previously for a lower back issue. Yea, get the anesthesia, trust me. Great chance of paralysis is the reason I'm having surgery April 5. Replacing 3 disks and then fusing. Going in through the front as it means less downtime. Will have to wear the collar fulltime for 2 months though. Good luck everyone.

What 603 called "myofascial" release is exactly what Dr Evangeline Cayton proscribed for me using a series of procedures. Everything from a machanicl collar & stretching machine, to an elbow driven into the soft spot below my shoulder blades to break up the knots, walking up and down my back, deep massage on the trigger points face down into a horse collar looking thing,...and finally got me into a position on my back where my head was off the table and hanging down, and the therapist put her feet against the bottom of the table at the floor and laced her hands under the back of my head around the knot and arched her back to pull my spine into a straightened position for a couple sessions ..and one day everythig let loose in my back all the way to my hips and my body relaxed when the "blue tissue" that hold the muscle groups in place relaxed ...I gained almost an inch in height that day. She pulled several more times that day, but the Big Release had already happend. Several seesions later there was not any more tension to release and I was done and had gained almost 2 inches in height. It works.
Ron

I have this also. Physical therapy has helped me.
Do what you're doctor says, for every one is different.