Have you heard of or tried a spinal decompression machine? It's a lot like traction but uses independent pulling mechanisms and computer control to "pump" the disks according to programmed patterns. My L4/L5 have been trouble for a long time. I was using a chiropractor which helped a lot. He put me on his (then) new machine about 10 years ago when an ortho surgeon wanted me to get on his next open slot. It worked wonders for me. I had to do sessions every couple days for several weeks but it well worth it to me.Been doing PT for years. Problem is L4/L5 are bone on bone. They recommended fusion 3 years ago. I did PT instead which hel[ed mobility but not pain. Then they sent me to pain management and that worked for 6 months or so. When injections stopped working, they did a laminectomy. That worked for 6 or so months, then they sent me back to pain managements. First round after the laminectomy worked pretty well. Second not so much and I think the third made it worse. That was last week. Unless pain management wants to try nerve ablation, fusion is about my only real option.