what is everyones opinion on traction to try and get the disk to return to normal?

I think that's what fixed me up. Inversion. Metal boots with hooks around the ankles, hang upside down, same thing. Should help as long as the damage is not too severe.

Find a specialist for that particular type of surgery. See them, bring the films, encourage them to do them again if they would like more info.

If you've already lost some function, I'd say do it, assuming a specialist thinks you should. Chiropractors and therapists are usually good people with good intentions, but doctors are the smartest of the smartest. surgeons are the best of the smartest of the smartest. Specialists are the best of the smartest of the smartest that spent as long as most people spend in college studying just the kind of surgery they specialize in, after 6+ years of studying medicine, after getting As through college studying bio and chem.
No doubt everyone makes mistakes as humans, but I'd prefer to trust the best of the best and their mistakes than anyone else.

just from laying in a bed for 5 days im able to walk, stand and lay without pain just a slight tingle in the foot. before i went to the hospital tuesday morning i couldt stand for more than a minut, i couldnt walk without limping or walking hunchback, lay on either my side period and driving i had to put all my weight on my right side. this seems like quite an improvement for just bed rest 6 days streight

That's encouraging news! The specialist that did my surgery said MOST herniations heal on their own. The first trick is to get the swelling under control, which is likely the reason you feel overly better. Less swelling equals less pressure on that nerve. The next trick is keeping from aggravating or re-injuring the disc. My specialist said he recommends people give a herniation 2 months to heal on it's own (with proper pain management) before he considers surgery. Exceptions are obvious/severe limitations in sensation or movement, lack of bowel or bladder control or the pain level being too high to manage/control effectively without hospital/doctor supervision. Since I was already at 3 months and my condition was rapidly deteriorating, surgery was basically automatic.

GOOD LUCK!:tu:

hopefully you can get it healed up without surgery:tu:
every person is human and sooner or later is going to make a mistake:scare2:
you are gonna have to get some more opinions from doctors to make your decision
surgery may help but could make it worse if someone screws up while your out:ouch:

what ever you decide good luck with it and hopefully you will get back to some what normal with out pain
also as has been stated becarefull with the pain meds if your on them too long it can be painful trying to stop taking them :argh:

In my opinion Suergon's are always gonna suggest surgery, just the same as chiropractors are gonna suggest therapy, thats how they make a living:c:

I would not do it without exploring all your options. You run a 50/50 chance that you will be still feeling the pain even after the surgery.

The thing I worry about WRT back surgery is the doctor. Even the best neurosurgeon is still human and humans make mistakes. Back surgery is one of the few things in this world where mistakes sometimes cannot ever be corrected.