I've been dealing with the same thing for over a year. Last year, I felt something not right while in the gym doing kettle ball twists on a decline bench. I continued working out and doing high impact cardio, only to learn a year later that I have two herniated discs (L5-S1). It took me a LONG time to go see a doctor. I was an idiot about it and all it did was make things worse. There have been times that my fiancé has had to pick me up off of the couch because I couldn't move due to the pain. In May of this year, I started physical therapy and started seeing a chiro, and let me tell you, it was the best thing I ever did. I've seen a huge improvement. Yes, the pain is still there. But while previously the pain level was a 7-8 on a scale of 10, it's now a 2-3 (most of the time, some good days and some bad, but mostly good) and my sciatica is pretty much non-existent now. I'm still a little hesitant to book a surgery because of some people I know that have had it(mind you they have had their surgeries 10-20 years ago), advancements and knowledge of back surgeries have increased dramatically recently, so I'm rethinking the process. To you, I say at least start therapy and seeing a chiropractor. If nothing happens in 6 months to a year, then reconsider going under the knife. In the meantime, go easy on running on a treadmill/track/road, etc. Use the elliptical. I know it's not the same thing but you won't get better at all still doing those things continuously. Also use caution doing plyometric exercises or anything explosive. Try to not bend at the waist and worst of all, use caution doing ab workouts. I usually only do stationary core exercises. It's a long road, but you can overcome it. Maybe not 100% without surgery, but you'll get close doing things smart and right.
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