The best thing you can do after a disc herniation, bulge, or rupture (once you have been cleared to exercise) is to build more stability around your spine.

More stability around your spine will boost your confidence during hobbies and activities you choose to do as well as give you a more robust protection strategy around an already sensitive low back.

The problem I see with people in the gym is they pick the wrong exercises and end up creating an even more sensitive low back.

More Core strength will not CURE back pain but it will help regain control over your pain from a herniated disc, bulging disc, or even post-surgery and help strengthen the tissues that surround the sensitive area.