Herniated / Slipped Disc: Understanding the Condition

A herniated or slipped disc occurs when the soft inner portion of a spinal disc pushes through its outer layer. This can irritate nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness. It most commonly affects the neck (cervical spine) or lower back (lumbar spine).

Common Symptoms

  • Sharp or burning back or neck pain

  • Pain radiating into the arms or legs

  • Numbness or tingling

  • Muscle weakness

  • Increased pain with bending, lifting, or sitting

How Physiotherapy Helps

  • Reduces nerve pressure through targeted exercises

  • Strengthens core and spinal support muscles

  • Improves posture and spinal alignment

  • Uses manual therapy to reduce stiffness

  • Helps prevent future disc irritation

Physiotherapy is often the primary and most effective form of conservative treatment.

How Chiropractic Care Helps

  • Gentle spinal adjustments can improve disc mechanics

  • Reduces joint restrictions contributing to nerve irritation

  • Improves mobility in the surrounding spinal segments

  • Helps decrease inflammation and pain

Low-force or instrument-based techniques are often used for disc-related conditions.

How Massage Therapy Helps

  • Relaxes tight muscles surrounding the spine

  • Reduces muscle spasms caused by nerve irritation

  • Improves circulation to support healing

  • Decreases pain and tension that worsen disc symptoms

Massage does not fix the disc itself but reduces the muscular strain that contributes to pain.

Why a Combined Approach Works Well

A combination of physiotherapy, chiropractic care, and massage therapy often leads to the best outcomes by:

  • Reducing nerve compression

  • Improving spinal stability

  • Restoring mobility

  • Controlling pain

  • Enhancing long-term function