Howdy. One of the reasons Soma works so well is that it's first-pass metabolism produces meprobamate, better known as "Miltown." So it tranquilizes as it relieves muscles spams. I agree with you, I've always referred to it as an adjunct medication--something to be taken with my pain medication--and like you, I've tried'em all the little cyclobenazprines that put me down for a nap, the huge Skelaxins that sometimes hit me like a brick wall, and sometimes do nothing at all, but a Soma and a Valium-bingo. My benzo tolerance is a little creepy, but I can live with that.
I would love to drop any narcotic from my daily regime. I guess acupuncture is next is terms of pain control. I have a benign L-1 tumor that has mostly taken over my vertebra, surgery is out and its pressing on a nerve bundle, hence the pain--so since mild yoga is okay, why not stick (really, no pun intended) with the Asian arts, like acupuncture. If its worked for thousands of years, why not now? PT hasn't really gotten me that far, so hey--something new to try. I'll tell you how it goes.

Cheers,

Cheers, and good luck,