Just started therapy last week for this same issue.
My MRI shows 2 ruptured and 1 herniated disk..L3-L4-L5.
I've had degerative disk disease since my early 20s...and 3 of them are wearing thin.
We are definitely trying to avoid surgery if at all possible. I'm doing the core muscle strengthening ... don't wanna take pain pills and don't want surgery.
Have already had C5-C6-C7 cervical disk fusion in the neck back in 2007...the neurosurgeon nicked my spine during this procedure and my entire left leg is permanantly numb now.
The neck is better, but the trade off of a bum leg, was not what I had hoped for.
Best of luck to you. I'm starting my walking program again...slow progress, but every little bit helps.