Disc Herniation
You might have heard it called a slipped disc, a bulging disc, or a herniated disc.
The name changes depending on who you are talking to, but the experience is often the same: a pain that arrived unexpectedly, possibly quite sharply, and that may be travelling somewhere it feels like it should not. Whether that is down the leg or along the arm, it can be alarming, particularly when you are not sure what is happening or how serious it is.
The good news is that disc herniation is something our osteopaths see and treat regularly, and most people, with the right approach, recover well.
What is actually happening: Your spine is made up of a series of bones called vertebrae, separated by discs that act as shock absorbers. Each disc has a tough outer layer and a softer, gel-like centre. A herniation happens when some of that inner material pushes through the outer layer and presses on a nearby nerve. Depending on where in the spine this happens, you will feel it in quite different ways.
It is sometimes called a slipped disc, though nothing has actually slipped. The disc stays in place; it is the inner material that has moved. That distinction matters less than understanding that the symptoms it causes are very real, and that the right treatment can make a significant difference.
Lumbar disc herniation: lower back
The most common presentation. When a disc in the lower spine herniates, it typically presses on one of the nerve roots running down into the leg. The result is often pain in the lower back alongside pain, tingling, or numbness travelling through the buttock and down the leg, sometimes as far as the foot. This nerve compression is the most common cause of sciatica. Some people also notice weakness in the leg or foot, which can feel unsettling if you have not come across it before.
How much you feel, and where, depends on the size and position of the herniation and how much pressure has built up on the nerve.
Cervical disc herniation: neck
When a disc in the neck herniates, the compression happens higher up, and symptoms are typically felt in the arm. This can mean pain, tingling, or numbness travelling from the neck or shoulder into the arm or hand, and in some cases a noticeable weakness in the grip. Neck pain and stiffness often come alongside these symptoms, though not always.
Why does it happen?
Disc herniations are often linked to a specific incident: a sudden movement, lifting something awkwardly, or a twist that felt wrong. But they can also develop gradually, without any obvious trigger. Prolonged sitting, repetitive postures, and the natural changes that happen in disc material over time can all increase the likelihood of a herniation. What feels like a sudden injury is often the result of cumulative strain that has been building quietly for a while.
How we approach it at Brixton Therapy Centre
The right starting point is an osteopathic assessment. Disc herniations vary quite a lot in their location, severity, and the structures they affect, and what we do depends on what the assessment actually finds.
Our osteopaths use hands-on treatment to reduce tension in the surrounding muscles and joints, restore movement in the spine, and take pressure off the affected nerve where possible. This can be effective for both the local pain and the referred symptoms travelling into the arm or leg.
For pain management alongside the hands-on work, dry needling may be introduced. It is not the right approach for every presentation, but where it is appropriate, patients often find it a useful addition, particularly in the earlier stages when pain levels are higher.
We recommend starting with osteopathy first and letting the assessment guide what comes next. If you have had imaging done, bring it along; it will be useful context.
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You do not need a diagnosis to come in
Many people arrive without a confirmed disc herniation diagnosis, and that is completely fine. If you have lower back pain travelling down your leg, or neck pain sending sensations into your arm, that is enough reason to book an appointment. Our osteopaths will assess what is happening from scratch, work out what is most likely going on, and build a plan from there. You do not need a scan, a referral, or any particular paperwork before you come in.
Questions People Ask Us
Is it safe to have osteopathic treatment for a disc herniation?
Yes. Osteopathy for disc herniation is a conservative, hands-on approach, and for most presentations it is entirely appropriate. Our osteopaths are trained to assess the nature and extent of the herniation before deciding which techniques to use, and they adapt their treatment accordingly. There are some approaches that are not suitable for certain presentations, and your osteopath will tell you if that is the case. If they have concerns about your specific situation, they will be upfront about it and advise on the best course of action.
Should I book osteopathy or massage for a disc herniation?
Osteopathy. Disc herniation involves nerve compression and needs a specialist musculoskeletal assessment, not a general massage. Massage can be a useful addition at a later stage, once the osteopath has assessed your situation and treatment is underway, but it is not the right starting point for this kind of presentation.
Do I need a scan before coming in?
No. Most disc herniations can be assessed clinically without imaging, and many patients do not need a scan at all. If you have had one, bring it along as your osteopath will find it useful context. If they feel imaging would add something to the picture, they will tell you and advise you accordingly.
Can a herniated disc heal without treatment?
Disc herniations do often improve over time, and for some people symptoms reduce naturally. How long that takes, how complete the improvement is, and what you go through in the meantime varies a great deal. Treatment can significantly speed up the process, reduce pain levels while you recover, and address the patterns that contributed to the herniation in the first place. Most people who come in rather than waiting are glad they did.
Related Conditions
Sciatica: lumbar disc herniation is one of the most common underlying causes of sciatica, and the two often need to be understood alongside each other.
Still Not Sure?
If you're in pain and wondering whether we can help, that's exactly why we're here. You don't need to know what the problem is. You don't need a referral. You just need to take the first step. Book online today or call 020 7733 9944 to speak to us.