My discs have been in the same place since 1988 when I had my injury, MRI scans over the years prove that
The fascial massage will breack down all the sticky build up on the muscle tissue allowing it to contract and expand properly
After a 5 minute conversation with him he pretty much diagnosed my problem without me telling him
I have tight hamstrings which impact on the piriformis causeing my low back muscles to go into spasam
Sorting out the hamstrings and breaking down the years of lactic acid build up in the lower back should help immensely
Discs dont "slip"...so I would hope they are in the same place. There are the types of herniation (bulge, protrusion, extrusion, sequestration)....the annular fibers can 'heal' in a lot of cases but the discs will still be weaker than healthy ones.
MRI scans (unless done with contrast) may not be the most reliable. Also, current research is finding that PRONE scans reveal more than ones done supine. Seated load the disc and can show more damage but the scan quality is not always great.
Yes, the fascial release can help the muscle with movement. But you are talking about the superficial musculature. Not very likely you are getting down to the multifidi muscles. Diagnosing a low back shouldn't take long at all.
I would say that hamstring "tightness" combined with hip flexor dysfunction is a bigger culprit with lower back. So many people want to jump on 'piriformis syndrome'....when in fact only a very small percentage of people actually have it.
Oh, and lactic acid is gone from muscles in about an hour after activity.