Cindy
Get yourself a hard tennis ball and roll it around the area of the Siatic Nerve, that is right to the hip side upper corner of your buttocks. The pinched nerve is probly most irritating there. That is why you are getting the pain in your leg. 15 minutes each of alternating heat and ice with breaks between, and slow, methodical, stretching of that area. ie, sitting on the floor and with a straight back, lean forward with toes pointed to ceiling. Have your doctor prescribe Celebrex, it is a mild pain killer and has an anti-inflammatory in it. It is good. It really works when taken every night at bedtime. Good luck and consider either massage therapy or seeing a chiropractor, they can help with this the most. Sometimes, if you can put your thumb on that soar spot and apply pressure, (this will hurt) and hold it for the count of ten several times a day, you can work that nerve loose. And I am sorry, but if you are seeing a medical doctor for this and he says that the procedure youa re going to have is the only hope, he is mis-educated. Get a second opinion from a Chiropractor. Really. Sincerely, Someone who suffers from it too. ~C