Hi to anyone out there as confused as I am. Now I am not a sufferer of these but a mother who has a 16 year old son to which he has suffered with severe pain especially with accute attacks in winter. He was diagnosed 2 years ago with sheuermanns kyphosis and wore a very restricting brace for the beginnning of this year for about 8 weeks, then later told that he didnt have the disease..What!!! You mean by some miraculous miracle he was cured, *poof* it went away...Wow!! No, not this at all he was mis diagnosed...Okay we can live with that..But however after going to specialist again n routine check he was told he has got spondylisthesis of the l5 - s1 ...He dosnt need surgery as yet but he got to do strengthening excercises to which he has been doing for two years. .. My sons back problems began with back ache about 6 years ago, also I was concerned as he looked hunchback (round shouldered) and is very skinny indeed. He is still very skinny, tiny waist, round shouldered and 6ft 4in.... His attacks are very dehabilitating too, it happens anywhere at anytime, and when it does he has to be rushed via 999 emergency and has to have all the necessary treatment (injections) . Some of the incidents have been under a subway, at school, etc, almost went by helicopter on two occasions, so you can see the seriousness of someone with a back problem. Being a mom and having the knowledge of what happen at anytime does worry me and I feel helpless at times. But you know what, he has plans, he wants the whole university package and as he is the youngest son of mine I couldnt be more proud of such a strong willed and positive human being than of my son, terry. ... I hope what I have written gives insight for any dilemmas and anxiety what surrounds what some call "back ache" as its much more than this... X his medication consists of kepake, acupan, dichlophenic, ibrupruphen, ( excuse the spelling of these).. And ongoing specialist treatment for the next two years