Herniated discs can get better with time, that being said there are times when surgery is indicated particularly when it is causing nueorgenic weakness of the lower extreme or bowel/bladder muscles. There is a risk of permanent nerve damage and that is why it is important to monitor your symptoms. As long as your symptoms (particularly nerve symptoms) are improving usually you are safe to try to ride it out. If the symptoms are getting worse or stay bad then you may not want to try to wait it out. Better body mechanics, improving posture and doing the right exercises instead of the wrong ones can help your chances of not needing other interventions (epidural injections, surgery, etc.). Hope that helps