re: L5-S1 herniated disk

32 y/o male here, was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis at L4/L5 and L5/S1 at 28. I used poor technique to pickup a miter saw and immediate sharp pain in my back that did not go away. Two month later I woke up to little pain but my legs were semi-numb. Went to an ortho who luckily transferred me to a neuro. I completely agree with everyone else do not trust an ortho please go see a neuro. The orthodox told me “yeah you have the back of a 50 year old, but I will clear you to go play contact sports” did not like that whole interaction at all, the neuro was much better. Prescribed physical therapy which helped a bit, but I saw real improvement when I started Pilates, took a small bit to my pride as I saw it as an old lady exercise thing but man I was incorrect in that thinking. My neuro also prescribed me cymbalta cause it treats diabetic nerve pain, do not go on any of those types of medications without researching it first, I didn’t and now I am trying to ween myself down because the withdrawals suck! I still have pain every now and then but it is usually situational, sitting too long bad posture etc. I have heard of people having their herniations heal over time, I would try and do everything I could before electing surgery as there is no going back at all after you go under the knife.