[Seahawk]

I would try everything, including bed supports for the back, braces (there are some really good ones these days) and literally anything else before he gets his back (meaning spine) operated on.

Back surgery is not a hip replacement or a knee...it is potentially life altering and often not in a positive way.

After he gets through this episode, and he will, he needs to do a lot of homework on how to prevent the next occurrence. Lots of solid advise in this thread...weight, diet, movement, stretching, etc. works wonders.

My Primary Care Doctor walked me through the "after this bout of sciatica" and it has worked...he did not recommend surgery.

A quick search is all he will need. Patience, not surgery on the back.