Your thoracic spine displays degenerative changes associated with disc herniations at multiple levels. What is somewhat surprising is that you have a reduced kyphosis as most patients with this condition generally have an increased kyphosis from degenerative disc disease or Scheuermann’s disorder (see website).
In general, your spine surgeon is correct in that you should try every therapeutic method before you should consider surgery. I think that epidural steroid injections can be quite helpful for these disorders. Extension strengthening exercises are important (rowing type exercises) to reduce the load on the discs and get the cord away from the herniations.
Medications like NSAIDs, muscle relaxants and membrane stabilizers (Lyrica and Neurontin) should be tried.
If extension (bending backwards) feels worse than flexion, you might also have facet syndrome. Facets blocks can diagnose a facet disorder if extension yields no relief.
I will assume that you do not have long tract signs in your legs (imbalance, hyperreflexia and clonus) as your cord is working well.
Dr. Corenman
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.