Help with MRI and Dr's results

Hi
I had a car accident in May 2009. From this accident the 1st MRI just done on the upper back showed a disc protroding between T8-T9. My doctor referred me to a specialist and when I went he said surgery won't, steroid shots won't work and physical therapy wouldn't work. I was shocked and didn't think to ask why they wouldn't work.Also since  the accident I have had low back pain too, in which I was first diagnoised with a lower lumbar sprain.  This feels alot like the pain I have in the mid back so the specialist ordered another MRI for the lumbar area. This one came back pretty much saying everything was normal, but my question on this was what does it mean "there is no evidence of significant disc bulge"? does that mean that some may be slighlty bulging? I don't see the doctor till July 6th.

If anyone can answer why with the protruding disc that the doctor would say nothing would help and it may or may not get better? and  the "no significant disc bulge" means?

Thank you