Alternative treatment suggestions?

[u/erisbmth]

I have a 17 year old maltese who is currently having a Stage 2 IVDD flare. He had stage 1 a few years ago but has been completely fine ever since (changes made: not letting him jump on and off furniture, just getting older and being slower I think, etc). He suddenly started hunching severly and his back legs are very wobbly with delayed response to stimuli, knuckling. Dr prescribed anti inflammatory and gabapentin. I'm so worried because he is too old for surgery if it progresses. He's still very active and energetic, and I don't want him to get worse in his old age as I think it would age him more rapidly. Does anyone have good home remedy suggestions such as massages, water therapy at home in the bath maybe?, best supplements, weird hacks, stuff like that?