The most common way is apparently for body fat to work its way into the channel where the nerve is. (I am unclear on what forms this channel: connective tissue? musculature? I'm guessing at least some muscle, since fitness is a *negative*.)

So I could lose a lot of weight, and it might help. Some patients report dramatic decreases in nerve herniation pain when they lose 15 pounds. However, my doctor and I agree that I don't have fifteen to lose. Maybe five.