Hey Beholden. I can't take Tramadol (It interferes w/ my Celexa) but my mom-in-law takes it for her back. It does awful things to her blood pressure. She has actually fell out in sezuires due to the med spiking her b/p. But that's about all the docs around here will prescribe. Like LostSavant was saying his doc won't prescribe Tramadol, but ou there you almost have to be half dead from pain before they give you anything other than Tramadol or an NSAID. For me, i am allergic to NSAIDS and asprin. Can't take tramadol, so the doc just tells me to take Tylenoyl for the severe arthritis in my spine and degenerative disc disease. I take about 12-14 tyleoyl a day. Which I know is too much but 2 of them every 4 hours just does'nt help the pain i have. But back to you question, my sister tells me Tramadol helps her alot with her scoliosis and arthritis pain. I have heard it is a good pain med for that ind of pain.