Thanks for all your very informative and most interesting replies.

Gypsy: re your comments on sciatica not being reduced by taking glucosamine sulphate. I wouldn't expect glucosamine sulphate to touch sciatica, but perhaps it would help reduce the cause of the sciatica. I use the Robin McKenzie exercises, I have 'Treat you own back', a very good book.

John Hardly: Your comment are very interesting, particularly regarding massage. I went to a sports therapist recently. she said a lot of my pain was caused by my UPPER back being in spasm ('like an eleastic band'). Massage helped a bit, but at that point the injury itself was the main pain.

I'm going to go through all your comments and I'll post more specific replies later today.

Thanks once again for your replies, at least you've all given me some hope that this pain may one day subside and that running can once again be taken seriously.

Cheers,

John