Hi,
I also have herniated disc at L5 S1, ( you can see my posts)- I am 36 and was in a car accident in 2001. The disc revealed itself while I was doing playground duty, just walking around, nothing fancy! Anyway, after diagnosing, I started pt (which involved stretches and exercise along with deep massage for about 20 minutes which I really wish was actually an hour!)Did pt for about 6 weeks (with a lot of improvement) and started to level out with no new great improvement. I tried 2 non invasive spinal decompression treatments to see if I wanted to do the estimated 48 treatments at a total cost of $4000. First treatment they stretched me at 45 or so pounds. I actually dozed off in the middle of it- so relaxed and it felt SOOOO good. But by the time I got to the car, I was in agony. I stayed in bed all night and all the next day. Everything HURT!! I called and told them no way I could take a day after each treatment to recover from the treatment, plus the $$$ was way out of my range ( my insurance didn't cover!) They said, come back one more time, and we'll try again. They dialed the pull back to the 30's, and the next day I didn't feel quite as bad, but I still hurt. Because of the $$$ part of it, they were going to try to work out a deal with me and call me back. They never did. (And I had also been told like you have that there was no guarantee that it would work long term, and that there wouldn't be pain as the disc compressed as it inevitably will because of gravity, etc Plus, it was COSTLY!!!) So I started seeing a neuro chiropractor. WOW oh WOW! Such a difference! He does not mainly do adjustments like most chiros do, but instead treats muscles and nerves, while checking on the stability and strength of the brain ( I know, seems like a lot of weird, and I was a bit of a skeptic at first, but I have felt so much better!) He and pt are working in agreement with what the other is doing, so I see both a total of four times a week, alternating days. Chiro is working on stabilizing nerves and muscles to keep everything aligned along with breaking up deep knots, and pt is working on exercises for core strengthening (glutes too- didn't realize how much core and glutes have to do with your back!) and deep tissue massage for the tight muscles and knots that seem to be prolific.
Anyway, that's where I am at. I have been recommending my neuro chiro to everyone because he has made such a world of difference- and I tried a regular chiro immediately after the car accident all those years ago- after a time of treatment, he dismissed me saying I had chronic pain and that I would have to learn to live with it, but he would not treat me any longer. I went for many years with regular pain until the disc thing happened in January. I have been blessed with some amazing doctors and pts, and feel I am well on the road to recovery. God has a huge part in it as well! Hope this helps, and get better soon! I would love to hear about your progress wherever you end up.