Didn't read all the replies but I can say this. About 18 years ago my wife began having pain in her lower back and left (?) leg. Doctor took x-rays and prescribed physical therapy. Pain got worse. Insurance paid for 10 chiropractor visits. Pain got worse. Got to the point that she couldn't walk. Started doing research on our own. Asked the doctor for an MRI. Showed one bulging and one herniated disc (x-ray won't show that). Got a referral to a back/spine specialist. He did micro surgery. As he described it: "I put an epoxy seal over the leaking disc and scraped out a place for the nerve to be without being impinged by anything. Can't repair disc but can keep it from getting worse." Pain is gone. She's been doing fine ever since but she is careful about how she bends or lifts something heavy.

Yes, surgery is dangerous, but if it is the solution to the problem a good doctor can bring a great deal of relief. Just don't let a quack do the job. A quack got hold of my older sister's back and now she can't stand straight.