Sam
I believe that gentle stretching can help a herniated disk. I do many exercises to help stretch the spine and take the pressure off. I bought a Body Bridge a few years ago and it has helped my body so much. It's a big arch that you lean over and allows you to stretch forward and backward. Anytime I feel compressed, it does wonders for my body. When I get off of it, I sometimes feel like I am 2" taller because of the stretch it gives the spine. As far as exercise.....I love using a mini trampoline. Sometimes walking on a treadmill can put a lot of stress on the disks from the pounding action of the walking. With a mini trampoline, it takes the shock out of the step. You can walk in place, jog, or just keep your feet in one place on the mat and bounce up and down. It's really great for pump the lymphatic system and a wonderful aerobic exercise at the same time. If you get one, get a good one because some of the less expensive models are just too stiff and can cause more problems for you.