I would not do the epidural or Cortisone shots. Sure the pain goes away, but it hasn't improved the mechanics. The pain you do not feel is the very thing you need to tell you not to do the things...

Ok, well, sort of agree. As I said before, try everything else first, but surgery ultimately did the trick for me.

I had years of sciatic pain. My leg would go numb and it would take me a minute...

Been there, done that. Lacking details - is it bulged or ruptured? Assuming it's only bulged, ice and Advil (nothing stronger), mixed with PT or Chiro, or whatever works for you. Once the pain...