What will the doc do for a herniated disc?

Several options: As long as weakness, numbness, and/or incontinence are not accompanying symptoms, pain management and physical therapy can often be prescribed initially. If conservative treatment fails, or more serious symptoms arise, surgical decompression of the nerve root is performed.

Pinched Nerve: Sounds like you have a pinched nerve in your back. I would suggest seeing a pain/spine specialist to evaluate you further to evaluate what level and what can be done to treat you. There are interventional treatments besides medications and surgeries that might reduce or eliminate the pain altogether.