Might it be that a a pinched nerve go away by itself?

Disc Herniation: Yes. Most herniated discs heal on their own--80%. For those that are too painful or fail to improve with pt, nsaid's, 6-18 weeks time, nerve blocks, other medications, then discectomy (plucking out the ruptured fragment) is very successful. In the neck, this is often accompanied by disc replacement or fusion. In the lumbar spine, discectomy is all that is necessary.