I'd like to see the MRI report if you can get it. But actually you'd be better off to go to physical therapy -- especially pool therapy. If you can get your doc to refer you, do so. DO NOT GO TO A CHIROPRACTOR unless you want to be paralyzed!!!!

Physical therapy can possibly relieve alot of your pain if you keep with it. Alot of the exercises can be done at home too. But if they have a pool that could help too.

Surgery is only for mechanical problems. It is not for pain relief. Most of the time you're left with the same pain or worse. And the levels above and below the surgical site usually fail because they have to take on more of the load, so you end up having to have more surgery.

Studies have shown that people who have surgery have the same results as people who had only physical therapy!!!

So try every conservative thing you can before opting for surgery. Go to a pain management doctor -- they can help relieve pain too, with other procedures that are not surgical. I wish you the very best! Let us know what the MRI report says, ok? God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee