You can get (I get) -

reflected pain all the way down the leg into the foot = located on the side of the leg usually.

pain in the hip or knee - located on the outside of the leg.

lightning all the way dpwn both legs ..

I have it down my left leg. When I slipped a disc 12 years ago it was down both legs.

Yeah, I have scar tissue on the L5 nerve root. Plus I have the pain from the back/hip/leg/foot. The burning is the worst part -- and of course the throbbing doesn't help. LOL

You would benefit from physical therapy -- ask your doc for a referral. They can show you gentle exercises that will help -- and you can do them at home. But you need to know the proper ones to do & they'll show you.

Water therapy is good too, if the facility has a pool. And of course there are pain meds that you can take to alleviate the pain.

Best of luck & keep us posted on your progress. Hugs, Lee

Treatments -

Stretching and cardio at a local gym will do wonders to improve the situation. Yes - it is difficult. But well worth the effort.

Also get some meds for break thru pain whih may crop up for time to time.

hugs

Leeall is correct, the water takes all the weight off your spine, so you can finally stretch your back properly. Taking the pain meds, going into a hot tub, then swimming in a warm pool, then, when you are all limbered up gingerly descend into the cool Olympic pool (wearing a life preserver pool shoes) you can join the 'water' walking exercises. After my 2nd to last accident, when I had only 2 herniated disks, (l5&c2) I swam for 10 years. I had nearly full recovery no surgery. Besides, I looked terrific and took years off my life. It was not easy at first, especially in winter.