Herniated disc here. We should start a club.

In addition to McKenzie, also check out the work of Stuart McGill.

http://www.backfitpro.com/

In the end, you have to find something that works for you - everyone is so entirely different when it comes to this. I know people who have done the discectomy will great results, I know some who ended up back in surgery again a few years later.

I've been religiously doing the McKenzie exercises without only short term relief (but at least some relief) but so far no change day in and day out. I just had a cortisone epidural - I'm one of the lucky ones that gets some real relief from that, so I'm hoping it works this time around again.

It does curtail biking at least in the short term - the flexion on the spine is really not what you need right now.

I'm at my year anniversary in dealing with this, so I know how frustrating it is. And whoever said you'll start to feel crazy is totally right. Chronic pain is mentally defeating.