Just N=1, but I saw a physiatrist who prescribed an MRI, a low-dose NSAID, and physical therapy. At best, the PT did nothing, and on most days it made the pain worse (and there was no short-term pain that led to eventual improvement, just pain). I had 8 weeks of PT and my pain only improved when I stopped.
It held until I foolishly lifted some heavy objects, and the pain was next addressed by an epidural steroid injection. Other than occasional mild discomfort, so far, so good (3 months post-injection).
My first series of 3 epidural shots lasted nearly 6 years. Just got two shots a few months ago and have greatly reduced pain and decent mobility. (Bad discs and nerve sacks on the spine).
One proposed spinal fusion procedure could either cure one problem area (discs 1 and 2, upper neck, paralyze me or kill me. I never flipped that coin for any of them).