SheilaZ, have you tried ice packs or heating pads, followed by light massage? Everybody is a bit different on whether they respond better to ice or heat, but ice (not terribly cold, have enough covering over the ice pack to make it tolerable) is often good for spasms and irritated nerves. It is NOT advisable to have your PAL lie directly on a heat or cold pack, and check their skin often. If a heating pad is used make sure there is an adequate layer of toweling between the heating pad and skin. Don't leave the ice/heat on longer than 20 min. at a time, but you can repeat it every hour. Make sure to do a "skin check" every couple of minutes if using heat; his skin should not be bright pink. Also, how mobile is he? Is he able to get up, walk, or at least roll over in bed? If not, he will need to be mobilized more if possible. Staying in one position for a prolonged period of time intensifies pain. You may also want to ask your PCP or neuro if you can get a prescription for a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit, or better yet, a TENS/IF combo. machine. This is a small electrical stimulation machine designed to decrease pain. IF (interferential) is generally thought to be more effective at reducing pain due to an anti-inflammatory response it creates in the tissues. I don't know if your husband is on Medicare/Medicaid, but to my knowledge, Medicare will not pay for a TENS unit for back pain, but WILL pay for one for other causes of pain (joint pain, muscular and tendon injuries, etc.), so you may have to be "creative" about this. If you do use Voltarin gel or any other topical medication or pain relief cream, make sure this is removed from the skin prior to using a heating pad or a TENS unit if you are able to get one. Good luck to you. My husband also has quite a bit of back and thigh pain which limits his walking. He gets temporary relief from his IF combo unit.