L5-S1 Sciatica :: Flare Ups And Pain Management?

I have been suffering from sciatic pain from last 9 months. The degenerative changes are at L5-S1. Had an MRI(attached as thumbnail) and one of the docs has asked me to go for surgery while other have told me it will heal on its own. I have been doing exercises in this period. But the thing is that it has not healed. There were periods of like weeks

where I was almost pain free but then again it would flare up out of nowhere and suffering would start. Another thing I have noticed is that some times with exercises the pain increases, and the days when i don't do the exercise i don't feel any pain. Sitting is the main culprit, but I can sit for like 2 hours and if my posture is good it would be normal.

My job requires me to sit for like 4-6 hours and then stand for 6-8 hours(i work in 12 hours shift). Had days off from the job, I thought it would go away with with rest and light exercises but that didn't happen. Now I am required to work otherwise I would lose my job.

My request to all of you is, does sciatica go away/heal on its own and if it does how long does it take, or do i have to live like this. I can't even sit as a passenger in car let alone drive, couple of road

bumps would trigger it right away(by the way is there a way out avoiding jerks to your body while travelling). ANd for the job I have to travel long distances in remote areas.

Thanks