My back often hurts. Could it be a herniated disc?

These days, I've been having a lot of days where my back feels a little stiff.
It's okay if you lie down
If I sit down, it becomes uncomfortable again
I'm worried that this might be an early sign of a herniated disc.
If I go to an orthopedic surgeon, will they immediately take an MRI?
Or I'm also curious if they do a basic checkup first
I also want to know if it is a stage that can be managed through exercise.