Disc Injury & Herniated Disc Treatment

What Is a Spinal Disc?

Your spine is made up of individual bones called vertebrae. Between most of these vertebrae are intervertebral discs.

Each disc has a softer central portion called the nucleus pulposus surrounded by a stronger outer layer called the annulus fibrosus.

Discs help distribute load through the spine and allow movement between the vertebrae.

Like other structures in the body, discs change with age and use. These changes are common and do not automatically mean that something is seriously wrong.

What Is a Bulging or Herniated Disc?

A disc can change shape or develop damage to its outer fibres.

A disc bulge describes a broad extension of the disc beyond its usual boundary.

A disc herniation occurs when material from the central part of the disc extends through or into the outer layers of the disc.

The expression “slipped disc” is commonly used to describe these problems, but the disc does not literally slip out of position.

Some disc changes cause no symptoms at all. Others may contribute to local back pain or irritate a nearby spinal nerve.

What Symptoms Can a Disc Problem Cause?

Symptoms depend on the location of the disc problem and whether a spinal nerve is being irritated.

Possible symptoms include:

• Lower back pain
• Pain in the buttock
• Pain travelling into the leg
• Sciatica
• Tingling or pins and needles
• Numbness
• Weakness in the leg or foot
• Pain aggravated by certain movements, sitting, coughing or sneezing

Importantly, the presence of a disc bulge or herniation on an MRI does not necessarily prove that it is causing your pain. Imaging findings need to be considered alongside your symptoms and examination.

What Causes a Disc Herniation?

There is not always one obvious cause.

Disc changes occur naturally over time, and some people develop a herniation during an everyday movement rather than following a major injury.

Other episodes begin after lifting, bending, twisting or another physical activity.

Factors such as age, genetics, smoking, previous episodes of back pain and the physical demands placed on the spine can all influence the likelihood of developing disc problems.

Having a disc problem does not mean that your spine is permanently damaged or fragile.

How Do We Assess a Suspected Disc Injury?

We Listen to Your Symptoms

We will ask how the problem started, where the pain travels, whether you have numbness or tingling, and what makes your symptoms better or worse.

We Examine Your Back

Your chiropractor will assess the movement and function of your lower back and surrounding areas.

We Check Your Nervous System

Where appropriate, the examination may include muscle strength, reflexes, sensation and nerve tension tests to look for evidence that a spinal nerve may be affected.

We Explain What We Find

We will explain whether your symptoms appear consistent with a disc-related problem and discuss what we think should happen next.

You can read more about how chiropractors assess and diagnose musculoskeletal problems.

Do I Need an MRI for a Herniated Disc?

Not everyone with suspected disc-related pain needs an MRI.

In many cases, your symptoms and physical examination provide enough information to begin appropriate management.

MRI may be considered where there are significant neurological symptoms, the diagnosis is uncertain, symptoms are not progressing as expected, or the result is likely to change the way the problem is managed.

We will explain if we believe further imaging or referral is appropriate.

Will an X-Ray Show a Herniated Disc?

An X-ray does not directly show the soft tissue of an intervertebral disc in the way an MRI can.

X-rays can, however, provide information about the bones, alignment and other structural changes in the spine where this is clinically relevant.

All three Isis Chiropractic Centres have on-site X-ray facilities. Imaging is only recommended where there is a clinical reason for it and where the result is likely to help guide management.

Can Chiropractic Care Help With a Disc Problem?

Chiropractic care may be appropriate for some people with disc-related back pain or sciatica, depending on their symptoms and examination findings.

Treatment is tailored to the individual and may include manual therapy, mobilisation, soft-tissue techniques, advice about activity and rehabilitation exercise.

Manual therapy is generally most useful as part of a broader programme that includes exercise and self-management rather than as a stand-alone treatment.

The aim is to help reduce symptoms, improve movement and gradually restore normal activity rather than simply treating an MRI finding.

Find out more about chiropractic treatment and our back care and exercise approach.

What About IDD Therapy for Disc Problems?

For some patients with persistent disc-related back pain or sciatica, we may also consider IDD Therapy as part of their treatment options.

IDD Therapy is a non-surgical spinal decompression treatment that uses a computer-controlled treatment table to apply carefully directed distraction forces to the spine.

It is not appropriate for everyone, and we would only recommend it following an assessment and where we believe it may be suitable for your particular problem.

Find out more about IDD Therapy →

Can a Herniated Disc Heal?

Disc-related symptoms often improve with time, although recovery varies considerably from person to person.

In some cases, herniated disc material can reduce in size over time as part of the body’s natural response.

Improvement in symptoms does not necessarily require the disc to return to exactly how it looked before the problem began.

The more useful measure of recovery is usually how your pain, neurological symptoms, movement and everyday function are changing.

Do Herniated Discs Always Need Surgery?

No. Many people with disc-related back pain or sciatica can be managed without surgery.

Surgery may be considered in particular circumstances, for example where there is significant or progressive neurological loss, certain emergency symptoms, or severe persistent sciatica that has not responded adequately to appropriate non-surgical management.

If your examination suggests that surgical or specialist assessment may be appropriate, we will advise you.

Should I Keep Moving With a Disc Injury?

For many uncomplicated disc-related problems, prolonged bed rest is not recommended.

You may need to modify painful activities temporarily, but gradual movement and a return towards normal activity are generally encouraged as symptoms allow.

The appropriate exercises depend on your symptoms and examination findings rather than on the scan result alone.

You may also find our back care and exercise advice useful.

Disc Herniation and Sciatica

A lumbar disc herniation can sometimes irritate or compress one of the spinal nerves that contributes to the sciatic nerve.

This can cause pain travelling into the buttock or leg and may also produce tingling, numbness or weakness.

However, not every person with sciatica has a disc herniation, and not everyone with a disc herniation has sciatica.

Find out more about sciatica →

When Should a Disc Problem Be Assessed Urgently?

Most disc-related back pain does not require emergency treatment, but some neurological symptoms need urgent medical assessment.

Seek urgent medical attention if you develop:

• New numbness around the genitals, buttocks or inner thighs
• New difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels
• Significant or rapidly increasing weakness in one or both legs
• Symptoms affecting both legs
• Rapidly worsening neurological symptoms
• Severe back pain accompanied by feeling seriously unwell, feverish or shivery

These symptoms can occasionally indicate a serious condition requiring urgent investigation.

Disc Problems and Lower Back Pain

Disc-related pain is only one possible cause of lower back pain.

Muscles, joints, ligaments and other structures can produce very similar symptoms, and sometimes more than one factor contributes to the problem.

This is why we assess the person rather than assuming that an MRI finding automatically explains their pain.

You can read more on our Back Pain Treatment & Chiropractic Care page.

Other Conditions That Can Produce Similar Symptoms

Several conditions can cause back, buttock or leg symptoms that resemble a disc problem.

• Sciatica
• Facet Joint Syndrome
• Sacroiliac Joint Syndrome
• Lower Back Pain

Disc Injury Treatment Near You

Isis Chiropractic Centres provides assessment and treatment for disc-related back pain and sciatica at our clinics in Milton Keynes, Northampton and Aylesbury.

Disc Injury Treatment in Milton Keynes

Our Milton Keynes clinic provides chiropractic assessment and treatment, on-site X-ray facilities, rehabilitation facilities and free parking.

Visit our Milton Keynes Chiropractic Clinic →

Disc Injury Treatment in Northampton

Our Northampton clinic provides chiropractic assessment and treatment, on-site X-ray facilities, rehabilitation facilities and free parking.

Visit our Northampton Chiropractic Clinic →

Disc Injury Treatment in Aylesbury

Our Aylesbury clinic provides chiropractic assessment and treatment, on-site X-ray facilities and free patient parking.

Visit our Aylesbury Chiropractic Clinic →

Frequently Asked Questions About Herniated Discs

Is a slipped disc the same as a herniated disc?

“Slipped disc” is a commonly used expression, but discs do not literally slip out of place. The term is often used to describe a bulging or herniated disc.

Can a herniated disc cause sciatica?

Yes. A lumbar disc herniation can sometimes irritate a spinal nerve and cause pain, tingling, numbness or weakness in the leg. However, disc herniation is not the only cause of sciatica.

Can you have a herniated disc without pain?

Yes. Disc bulges and other disc changes can be found on scans in people who have no symptoms. This is why scan findings need to be interpreted alongside your symptoms and examination.

Will I need an MRI?

Not necessarily. Many people can initially be assessed using their symptoms and physical examination. MRI is generally considered when the result is likely to influence diagnosis or management.

Can I exercise with a herniated disc?

For many people, appropriate movement and exercise form an important part of recovery. The type and intensity should be matched to your symptoms and abilities.

Will I need surgery?

Most people with disc-related symptoms do not automatically require surgery. Specialist or surgical assessment may be appropriate for particular neurological problems or symptoms that do not improve sufficiently with conservative management.

Start by Understanding What Is Causing Your Symptoms

You do not need to know whether your pain is coming from a disc, joint, muscle or nerve before you book.

That is what the assessment is for.

Our chiropractors in Milton Keynes, Northampton and Aylesbury will assess your symptoms, explain what we find and discuss the treatment, rehabilitation or investigation options that may be appropriate for you.