Since we'e all tinkerers, it's helpful to think about the mechanics of this problem. Your spine is composed of many bones, separated by flexible "disks". Each bone has a name and number depending on it's location: the cervical bones at the neck, the thoracic bones in the middle, the lumbar bones in the lower back, and the sacrum at the pelvis. So when your problem is correctly diagnosed, the specific joint will be identified, like L5/S1, being the joint at the top of your pelvis. The disks are like inner tubes: they have a tough skin and a spongy interior. The spinal cord runs through the center of the tube. Strain can cause the skin to weaken and then the disk bulges. It can touch the spinal cord or the nerves that radiate from the cord, and that causes pain or worse, loss of nerve function. If the tube tears, the spongy insides can extrude into the spinal column and cause more complicated problems.

If the damage isn't too bad, stretching exercises or chiropractic manipulation can push the bulging material away from the spinal cord, and you have relief, maybe permanent, maybe temporary. Sometimes the bulged area will shift by itself by natural process, or relaxation. And sometimes, the pressure on your nerves simply can't be relieved without surgery.

Surgery shouldn't be undertaken lightly. Although it's a pretty common surgery these days, a surgeon going around your spinal cord with a cutting tool can easily do permanent damage. So you only want to do this as a last resort. Some of the things that would move you to surgery: chronic pain that can't be relieved by any conservative therapy. Weakness, numbness, or tingling indicating nerve damage. Pain that doesn't change, regardless of your position. Surgery can be very successful, but can also be disastrous, so don't be naive. Surgery can be done by a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon, but you want to check out your provider as best you can.

You should speak to a neurologist before considering surgery, not a GP, PCP, or orthopedic doctor. The neurologist is equipped to evaluate the extent of nerve damage and will order the correct radiologic studies. The neurologist will refer you to a surgeon if it's warranted.