re: Sciatica from L5-S1 disc.... choosing a treatment option

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I've seen two PTs while dealing with this and both were the same.... exercises and stretching. Both of which Google will show you.

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A lot of PTs use the McKenzie method and don't know an alternative if that doesn't work. It's hard to find a good PT. Try that first but if that doesn't work you need to find you're underlying issues. Opening up the hips worked wonders for me.

Some of the exercises I used to avoid surgery:
ATG Split Squats
DB Pullovers with a lot of thoracic extension
Trap 3 raises
Back Extensions
Standing QL Extensions

Couch stretch
Elevated pigeon stretch
Posterior stretch (calf/hamstring)
Elephant walks
Dead hangs

On the back extensions I just started with iso holds at the top and then progressed to single leg iso holds at the top. I did those for months until I had regained full tolerance of extension. Now I'm doing full range reps on the back extension to start focusing on regaining flexion. I'll eventually progress to single leg reps and then load them with weight.

If you're too flared up to even start the exercises above, the McGill big 3 is a good way to calm things down for a bit, but in my opinion it doesn't help get back strength through range which is what you need if you're active.

I've tried 4-5 injections. 1 worked but the rest didn't. The problem with injections is that you don't know if you're getting better or just masking pain so if you're doing a rehab program it's hard to tell what's working or when you've pushed it too far. In my opinion I would only get an injection if your pain is so bad that it's completely ruining your ability to sleep and recover. Try exercise first and see how it goes. I did surgery and it worked but it didn't last forever. Give yourself at least a year of really trying to fix it before going that route