Everything I've read online says that it usually goes away in a couple of weeks to a couple of months. How is it possible that mine has stuck around for 8 years?

PABadger-thanks for the info. How long did you have to deal with this? I really don't want anyone cutting on my back. But I've also sworn to myself that I won't allow this to keep me from doing the activities I want to do. It's almost too the point right now of doing just that though.