45* will help but you need about 60 to really stretch out the vertebra and release the pressure to allow fluid to flow better between the disks. I've never seen a gym with one but on the website they are only about 250 for the best model. Only a doc can tell you if you have to have surgery but for a couple of hundred bucks I'd try anything first. I know the amount of flexibility mine has helped me with is unbelievable. I'm headed home from the gym and that's one of the first things I'll do when I get there.