What's your opinions, good or bad..

I’m no expert but core strength, flexibility, avoiding sitting for long periods of time, and staying away from sugar/processed foods help my back pain more than anything else.

Understandable but when you're already getting back injections for nerve issues, disk issues, etc... you gotta consider all options.

So, the biggest thing I've been pointed out is:
Be a hero and lift like a gorilla - extend recovery by months
Lift carefully, and very thoughtfully, and you'll be back to normal in weeks.

This is 100% true with a C5/C6 issue. You have to be extremely intentional about movement that involves neck movement and bracing (assuming it's C and not L)

Some gabapentin or pregabalin, and a shitload of ibuprofen (2400mg a day for me for weeks) will help return you to close to baseline.

Yep knocking on 57 and damn near 37 working for uncle Sam has definitely taken it's toll. I'll check out that link.

If you want to try a cheaper route to see if it's beneficial for you look into doing it with heavy resistance bands.
Decompression

I’ve used one a friend had and couldn’t do it. It felt like my head was going to blow off and I can’t think our brains were designed to handle that pressure.