Bob's Back Issue

I'm hoping this post generates some ideas from others as to what I can try to fix my back pain.

Issues:

• Low back pain over the last two years
• I've been seeing a chiropractor, on and off, for 15+ years
• Pain has been more significant in the last couple of years, even more so in the last two months
• Pain is believed to be caused by a bulging disc hitting a nerve (see MRI image below)
• Pain is severe enough that I can't do my two hobbies (tennis and drumming), ride in the car for a long time, focus in the morning (when the pain is most severe), sit for more than 20 minutes, etc.

Actions taken over the last two years:

• Four chiropractors
• Physical therapy
• Pain management (one steroid shot at one doctor, then three steroid shots at another)
• The second set relieved pain for about two weeks
• Stretching exercises, including an inversion table
• NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Aleve, Meloxicam)
• Ibuprofen and Aleve haven't helped. Trying Meloxicam now.
• Two MRIs (Apr 2016 and Aug 2017)

Latest suggestion by doctor (15-Aug-2017):

• Does not recommend surgery because the bulge isn't specific enough, or severe enough, to warrant surgery and the possible longer-term complications that go with it.
• By "specific enough," I mean there isn't a smaller bulge to cut away; it's a bigger, overall bulge.
• Recommends radio frequency ablation (radio waves that generate heat that stop the nerves from transmitting pain signals)
• Apparently this can last from 3-18 months.

What I want:

• Some suggestions for things to try to make the pain go away. If you have any, please let me know.