I know how you feel. I had a huge herniated disc- L5-S1. mine was 1.5 cm. about three times larger then normal. I tried everything for my back for 14 months, and had tremendous sciatica pain. I did yoga, hot yoga, decompression, PT, Chiro, acupuncture, had injections and lost weight.
I did ideal protein, check out the web site and also search on 3FC for our thread. Honestly you lose weight so quick its difficult but also easy. Basically if you stick to it you will lose 3-5 pounds or more a week. I would have never lost weight without this plan. there is an alternative plan also bc it is expensive.
Next, try epideral injections if nothing else works, through a pain management doctor. Not sure exactly where in PA you are but try to go to the best doctors if possible and do your research. Im in NJ if you can get coverage here I will give you some names.
If you are beyond that, I had endoscopic back surgery. I waited 14 months. Then canceled with the chief of spine at NYU joint bc I didn't want a open surgery- or a micro discectomy. I was given the reference for my back dr from a Health board, from a guy in a NJ. Anyhow my Dr is Dr Gabriel Jasper out of brick NJ. He saved my life and my back. Honestly the daily pain before was worse then what I had after the surgery. After surgery I went right to dinner and never took a pain killer. He is not your traditional dr but he did the job and I am happy to finially be well and working again.
Endoscopic surgery- not many do this, mainly Europe,China, italy, spain. Very few in the US. Surgeons will tell you to get a microdiscectomy bc its no big deal. Well my back is very important to me. and I didn't want my back muscles cut open. So Dr jasper goes in by your hip above your butt and with somethng like a metal staw he get to the bad disc and then through the straw he uses somthing like a mini scissor or tweetor to get the herniated dsc material out while keepin the good disc in.
Exercises for the back. do planks front and side forearms on the floor. Crunches- shoulder blades do not come off the ground. No more real sit-ups for you. When you sit up from the bed push on either side with hands rather then using back. or go to edge of the bed and on your side let your feet drop to the floor and push up. Pelvic tilts- had to do them but seem worthless to me! eliptical and recumbant bike and no more treadmill- to much impact . also you can try yoga- cobra, and upward dog- these are extensions and some really swear by them. or hands on back and bend backward- basicly a standing cobra type position. Hope that helps- I would have private messaged you but I need a few more posts first. Let me know how you do.

Water aerobics doesn't really bother me. I also walk on the treadmill on a low incline, usually 3.5 to 4 miles.
I also lift light weights and do core work--I only do exercises that my chiropractor and my personal trainer taught me. I paid for 3 sessions with a personal trainer who actually had experience with clients with back issues. She taught me 3 sessions I could do using gym equipment or just my own body as resistance, and she gave me a free session to teach me water exercises I could do even if I threw out my back. Unless I'm really hurting, I try to do my workouts because I've noticed that it hurts less when I keep moving. The way my chiropractor explained it made sense. By exercising, I am getting oxygen rich blood to my back areas that need it. My lower discs are completely dried out and I have a slight bulge. One of my lower vertebrae is actually fused to my pelvis on one side, and I was born with an extra rib that is smaller than the other ribs and tends to pop out of socket fairly often. I NEVER do twisting exercises.
I also sleep on a very firm mattress on my back with a pillow under my legs. I can't sleep on my side lately without my rib going out of socket. I haven't slept on my tummy in years because it's so bad for me.
Hope this helps--sorry to throw so much info at you!

I have a shoulder issue caused me to have, essentially, knots encapsulated in scar tissue through most of my upper back, as well as a disc bulge at C5/6 that puts pressure on the nerves running down my arm. Water aerobics, particularly in summer was wonderful...now the water is too cold, and makes the muscles seize up.

I have good days and bad days, but even on my bad days, water aerobics was lovely (again, when it was warm out). I'd give it a shot!

Water exercise, swimming, and the jacuzzi have been great for my back! Before surgery I used to joke the swimming was my second favorite form of transportation with the car the first. It hurt so much to walk. Pools are great for the back. Also, I go weekly to a massage school clinic, it is very reasonably priced and really helps with the tight muscle and circulation. I also just got a tens- stim unit from my dr. Insurance pays for this.

Thats everyone!! I do get the epidural injections.. I've had 4 so far with no relief yet. I got back in 2 weeks for another round and I just hope it will help soon!

What is ideal protein? Is it a diet plan or a supplement? I guess I should go research it huh? LOL

Thank you chickybird for all the tips! I really want to do water aerobics but am so paranoid about being the fattest person there and just being too embarassed to do anything. This is when it would be nice to have friends here that could do it with me