Between the bones of your spine sit discs, tough cushions that absorb load and allow movement. When a disc is irritated, the outer wall can bulge or tear, and the softer center can push out. That is what people mean by a bulging, herniated or “slipped” disc, although a disc never actually slips out of place.
Bulge versus herniation
- Bulge: the disc extends past its normal edge, but the wall is intact.
- Herniation: the wall has torn and some inner material pushes through.
- Degeneration: normal age-related change in discs. It is very common and is not always painful.
Imaging often shows disc findings in people with no pain at all. What matters most is whether your symptoms and exam findings match what the image shows.
Common symptoms
- Low back or neck pain that worsens with sitting, bending or coughing.
- Pain, tingling or numbness traveling into a leg (often called sciatica) or an arm.
- Muscle weakness in the affected limb.
- Stiffness and guarding of movement.
Conservative care options
Many disc-related problems improve over weeks with conservative care. Dr. Devine tailors care to your exam findings, which may include gentle, low-force manual therapy, movement and stabilization exercises, activity changes and, in some cases, laser therapy. If your symptoms are not improving or your exam shows signs that need a different approach, he will refer you for imaging or to a medical specialist.
See our herniated disc page, and read how conservative care approaches disc herniation at Form & Function Chiropractic. Leg symptoms? See sciatica.
When to get medical care first
Go to the emergency room right away for loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs (“saddle” numbness), or leg weakness that is getting worse. These can signal a serious nerve compression. Also seek prompt care for severe pain that is unrelenting, pain with fever, or pain after major trauma.
Related reading
Dr. Jeff Devine practices at Form & Function Chiropractic, 3 Monroe Pkwy Ste G, Lake Oswego, OR 97035. Call (503) 495-3454.
This article is general education, not medical advice. It does not replace an exam by a licensed provider. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.