If you have been diagnosed with a herniated disc, it is understandable to have questions about your treatment options.
Keep reading to find out what a herniated disc is, learn about current research on chiropractic treatment, discover who might benefit, and recognise warning signs that mean you should go to the hospital.
What is a herniated disc? The Symptoms
In your spine, each vertebra is separated by a soft, cushioning disc. Imagine the intervertebral discs as a multi-layered tyre with a gel core: a tough outer layer encasing a softer interior. When the outer layer (annulus) weakens, part of the inner material (nucleus) can protrude or push out, causing a herniated (or “slipped”) disc. If this bulge presses on a nearby nerve, you may experience symptoms beyond your back, such as sharp pain, tingling sensations, or muscle weakness extending down the buttock and leg. When the sciatic nerve is affected, this condition is known as sciatica.
Chiropractic treatment may focus on maintaining movement, supporting function and addressing symptoms. Invasive procedures are only considered if absolutely necessary.
How is it different from a bulging disc?
A bulging disc occurs when the outer portion of a spinal disc extends beyond its usual boundary, while the inner material remains contained within the disc. With a herniated disc, a tear or weakness in the outer layer allows some of the softer inner material to push through. If the displaced material comes into contact with nearby nerves in the spinal canal, it may contribute to symptoms such as pain, tingling or numbness.
Cervical Disc Herniation and Lumbar Disc Herniation
A herniated disc can occur in different areas of the spine, with the symptoms depending partly on the location of the affected disc and whether nearby nerves are involved.
Cervical disc herniation
If a cervical disc affects a nearby nerve, symptoms may extend from the neck into the shoulder, arm or hand. The symptoms may include pain, numbness, tingling or changes in muscle strength.
Lumbar disc herniation
When a lumbar disc affects a nerve, symptoms may travel from the lower back into the buttock and leg. This can sometimes involve the sciatic nerve.
Can a chiropractor help a herniated disc?
Chiropractic care is not suitable for everyone. A chiropractor can assess your symptoms, discuss treatment options and refer you for further medical assessment where needed.
What does a chiropractor for a herniated disc actually do?
A first visit is mostly about listening and assessing — not cracking. Expect a detailed history and a physical exam that checks your movement, reflexes, muscle strength and nerve function to assess your symptoms and identify findings that may require further investigation or referral. If your symptoms or examination findings indicate that further medical assessment is appropriate, referral to another healthcare professional may be recommended.
Care is usually a blend rather than a single technique:
Gentle, targeted spinal manipulation or mobilisation
May support movement and manage pain, chosen to suit the sensitivity of your case.
Low-force and flexion-distraction techniques
Slower, gentler methods often preferred when a nerve is involved.
Nerve and soft-tissue mobilisation
May manage irritation down the leg.
Rehabilitation exercises
May support core and hip strength.
Practical advice
On posture, lifting, sitting and staying active.
Education can also form part of care, helping you understand your symptoms, the findings from your assessment and the treatment options available to you.
Red flags: When to Skip the Clinic and Seek Urgent Medical Attention
This information is important; please read carefully. Rarely, a disc herniation can compress a critical nerve bundle at the base of the spine, causing a medical emergency known as cauda equina syndrome. This requires hospital treatment, not chiropractic care.
Seek medical assistance by calling 000 or going to the nearest emergency department if you experience:
- Numbness or tingling in the groin, buttocks, or inner thighs (the “saddle” area)
- New or worsening difficulty controlling the bladder or bowels, or loss of sensation when urinating or defecating
- Sudden weakness or deterioration in one or both legs
Additionally, see your General Practitioner promptly if your leg pain worsens quickly, if you notice increasing weakness, or if the pain is accompanied by fever, unexplained weight loss, or follows a significant injury. These signs are not causes for panic but indicate the need for a different level of care.
So, should you see a chiropractor for a herniated disc?
An assessment can help determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for your circumstances and whether referral to your GP, specialist or another healthcare professional may also be appropriate.
Your chiropractor can consider your symptoms, medical history and clinical findings when determining whether chiropractic care is appropriate for you.
A common side effect is soreness after treatment, similar to what you might feel after a workout, though all treatments carry some risks, and side effects can vary.
Chiropractic Adjustments at Aurum Health Care
At Aurum Health Care in Norwest, our team takes the time to understand your symptoms and your goals. Book online or call 02 9899 1416 to arrange your assessment.
