Treatment Plan

Based on what the internist said, my pinched nerve <-> herniated disc will heal on its own over many weeks and the main thing is to reduce inflammation. My web research agrees with the doc: it will heal on its own and will take weeks to months to fully heal. ( http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/back-pain/spinal-cord-and-spinal-nerve-roots, http://www.rebuildyourback.com/pinched-nerve/diagnosis.php)

Chiropractors could help or harm. "exercises can make sciatica worse if it is due to a herniated disc. Acupuncture makes it easier to tolerate the pain but doesn't fix the problem. Chiropractors can be helpful or harmful in any case of sciatica depending on their skill and experience." (http://www.backpain-guide.com/Chapter_Fig_folders/Ch07_Symptoms_Folder/Sciatica.html)

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My favorite quote from my research: "Now if the disc is herniated and damaged to a degree that degenerative healing will not occur ..." (from http://en.allexperts.com/q/Chiropractors-965/herniation-L4-5-L5.htm)

I sure hope I don't have degenerative healing!!!!