Hoping for some advice

About 3 years ago, I was lifting at the gym when I felt a “pinch” in my low back, on the right side. It wasn’t that bad at the time. It just felt like I’d strained the area. It was sore for a bit, but got better.

About a month after, that area started getting tight. There wasn’t really a lot of pain, just uncomfortable tightness. Stretching and staying active seemed to keep it under control.

But for the next 3 years, it kept coming back and would progressively get worse. The tightness always started near my waistline on the right side, but would extend upward through my lats and even into my shoulders. At its worst, I could feel it pulling on my rib cage. It’s also extended lower into my glutes and hamstring at times. And recently, it’s been pretty bad and I’m feeling a bit more pain at the waistline area on the right side on top of the usual tightness.

I saw my doc plus an ortho. I’ve had XRays and an MRI. There seems to be no issue with my spine which is good. Everyone agrees it’s likely just muscular.

I’ve since been through several rounds of PT. I’ve also seen an OMT for about a month. I’ve gotten massages and trigger point therapy. Just recently I figured I’d give a chiropractor a try. Nothing has really helped.

On my own I stretch a TON. I drink lots of water and get a healthy dose of electrolytes each day. I work out a lot but avoid lifting heavy. I find when I stay active, I can generally keep it under control but no matter what I do, it always finds its way back.

I’m just frustrated at this point. The docs just want to give me drugs which I’m not a fan of. They also haven’t given me a lot of great answers as to what this could be.

I’d love to hear any thoughts or suggestions you might have. Thanks!