I had a back operation in 2001 on L3-4 & L4-5. Two levels. After 2 long years of misery before hand. But I was never able to do any working out,and barely walked too.

My MRI reports said things such as marked herniation,fragmented displacement and so forth. Bulging discs is much less severe. The only thing is he has them at multiple levels.

If he is fit,and working out than he is managing this condition. I too have stenosis, which is narrowing of vertebrae, and athritis in neck and lumbar spine.

I work everyday, clean a fairly large house and look after my 7 year old with this bad back.

Alan sounds much fitter than me, and he is able to workout.

I don't like the sounds of paying 100$ for the rest of your life, and maybe the reason he is not a candidate for surgery is because the discs aren't herniated enough to merit an invasive procedure?