I have been diagnosed with a right-side L4/L5 herniated disc. I ve had a sharp and persistent pain for about four months; a sharp pain which shoots down my leg and causes a numbing effect (in the leg/foot) due to sciatica. Bending backwards far enough also causes pain in my right lumbar area. Once I m fatigued, it becomes extremely difficult to walk and stand up straight. I ve noticed that my body tries to compensate my body-weight by shifting to the left (away from the right side) making me look crooked. I can t sit comfortably or for a prolonged period of time. The pain is most severe in the mornings upon awakening; my back becomes stiff and and the pain in my right lumbar is usually what wakes me up. I ve been treated with two epidural cortisone injections on the site of the problem (about a month apart) to no avail of alleviating the pain (the pain is still as persistent as before). I ve been exercising my core on a routine basis, have done stretching exercises and have gotten therapy. I ve been researching spinal decompression through a decompression machine and wanted to know if it s implementation on the site of the injury can potentially be beneficial in my case. I do not want to get surgery in that area due to the potential of further complications. I used to live a very active lifestyle and I am an avid weightlifting and this injury has really put all of that to a screeching halt and the pain is unbearable at times.