Common symptoms
- Back or neck pain, often worse with bending, sitting or coughing
- Pain travelling down the leg (sciatica) or down the arm
- Tingling, pins and needles or numbness in the leg, foot, arm or hand
- Weakness in specific muscles if a nerve is more affected
What a slip disc is
The discs between your vertebrae have a tough outer ring and a softer centre. With strain over time, or sometimes a single lift, the outer ring can weaken and the centre bulges or pushes through. The disc does not actually “slip” out of place.
A disc bulge on its own may cause little or no pain; in fact, disc bulges are common on MRI scans of people without symptoms. Problems arise mainly when the disc irritates or presses on a nerve root, causing pain, tingling or weakness along that nerve.
Will it heal without surgery?
Often, yes. The body can gradually reabsorb part of a herniated disc, and nerve irritation commonly settles over 6 to 12 weeks, although some cases take longer. Surgery is usually discussed when there is severe or worsening weakness, the warning signs below, or pain that remains disabling despite good conservative care. If we think you need a surgeon’s opinion, we will tell you.
How we treat it
- Finding positions and movements that ease leg or arm symptoms
- Gentle nerve mobilisation and progressive exercise therapy
- Spinal decompression for suitable lower back and neck disc problems
- Hands-on treatment to ease muscle spasm and stiffness
- Advice on sitting, sleeping, lifting and returning to work
We track your symptoms and nerve function closely, so we can see whether pain is moving back towards the spine, which is often a good sign.
How many sessions will I need?
Slip disc rehab often involves 8 to 16 sessions over 4 to 8 weeks, sometimes including a course of spinal decompression, followed by a home programme. The plan is reviewed as your symptoms change.
When to see a doctor first
Please see a doctor or go to an emergency department, rather than booking physiotherapy, if you have:
- Numbness around the groin, buttocks or inner thighs (saddle area)
- New difficulty passing urine, or loss of bladder or bowel control: seek emergency care
- Weakness in a leg or foot that is getting worse, or foot drop
- Symptoms in both legs
- Clumsy hands or difficulty walking with a neck disc problem
Frequently asked questions
Can a slip disc heal on its own?
Many do improve without surgery. Part of the herniated material can be reabsorbed over weeks to months, and physiotherapy helps you stay active and manage symptoms while that happens.
Is spinal decompression good for a slip disc?
It may help some people with disc-related back or neck pain, particularly alongside exercise. It is not suitable for everyone, so we assess you first and review your progress after the first few sessions.
Should I avoid bending forward with a slip disc?
In the early, painful phase some people find bending aggravates their symptoms, so we may temporarily modify it. Bending is not harmful in itself, and we gradually return you to normal movement.
When is surgery needed for a slip disc?
Surgery is usually considered for cauda equina symptoms, severe or worsening weakness, or disabling pain that has not improved with good non-surgical care over several weeks. That decision is made with a spine surgeon.
Can I work at a desk with a slip disc?
Usually yes, with adjustments: changing position often, standing breaks every 20 to 30 minutes, and a setup that lets you sit comfortably. We can advise on your workstation.