For 20 years, I have had a slipped disk problem at L4 in the lower back - I mean, 4 or 5 times during that period. There are conflicting reports on the Net as to whether the charred, blackened disks actually contain less, or more, HA as we get older. I think the present idea is that the charred old disk with narrowed disk space

is depleted of HA. Of course, the narrow disk is like a biscuit

that was once a doughnut - a biscuit cannot bear the mechanical stresses that a doughnut can.

I believe my problem is this narrow disk, although it could well be

the sacroiliac joint malfunction, or a torn ligament

I have been using Chinese herbal topical patches to accelerate healing. Now I am considering taking high MW hyaluronic acid. I suspect this might be very good for my condition, but there have been allusions to HA assisting the spread of cancer in the human body. Seeing as we all have microcancers somewhere at most times, I am hesitant to start taking oral HA which could do wonders for my back.

At the same time, there is a topical preparation available containing papain enzyme to dissolve extruded disk material,

as well as hyaluronic acid and glucosamine, and it is reputed to have helped very many people. However, topical papain applied even to the back might pose a risk of blindness, since papain may circulate to the eye where it could thin an already thin retina.

What do you think I should do?