DDD is a condition that sounds dreadful. BUT we all can/will have it at some time. It starts from our late teens,early twenties and is because the disc becomes thinner, honestly it is a sign of age a bit like hair going grey. I would try EVERYTHING ELSE like pain management (mentioned above) light to medium exercise as well as an alternative diagnosis and second opinion as me236 said. Do you have other symptoms other than back pain? Nerve entrapment (burning,tingleing,etc) can be in any nerve in the body and in any point along the nerve. if you have sciatica, a common back related problem, check out piriformis syndrome too. It is supposed to be rare, I have it and don't feel very unique, just fed up!
if you find an answer, pls let me know! I've been battling chronic pain from DDD&DegJointDis (among other conditions) for over 10 years. I've tried everything from acupuncture, PT (land and water), psychologist ("talk therapy"), chiropractor, elec stimulation, etc, etc, etc. You get the point... I can tell you this--I believe my pain has gone from a 10 to a 8or9 after my back surgery (with 10 being in bed, lying in agony&9 being in a recliner unable to move much). If you decide to consider surgery (my limbs went numb, so I felt I had no choice), please get 2nd and 3rd opinions from different surgeons. I didn't and wish I did. Good luck.
Pain Management and there is a good forum here.