All conditions

Disc herniation

When a spinal disc presses on nearby nerves, causing back pain that can radiate into the limbs.

A herniated disc — often called a “slipped disc” — happens when the soft centre of a spinal disc pushes outward and irritates a nearby nerve. It sounds alarming, but the outlook is good: most people recover well with conservative, physiotherapy-led care.

What happens in a disc herniation

Spinal discs sit between the vertebrae and act as cushions. When the tough outer ring weakens, the softer inner material can bulge or herniate and press on a nerve root. This can produce local back or neck pain, and often refers pain, numbness, or weakness into an arm or leg — the mechanism behind much sciatica.

What you might feel

  • Localised back or neck pain
  • Pain, tingling, weakness, or numbness travelling into an arm or leg
  • Symptoms that change clearly with certain positions
  • Pain that eases in some postures and worsens in others

How physiotherapy helps

Home physiotherapy for a herniated disc is structured and progressive:

  • Assessment to confirm the pattern, identify the involved level, and rule out red flags
  • Direction-specific exercises that “centralise” symptoms and reduce nerve irritation
  • Manual therapy and gradual loading to restore movement and confidence
  • A return-to-activity plan built around your work and daily life

Authoritative sources including the NHS advise that most slipped discs settle with time, movement, and physiotherapy, and that surgery is rarely needed. Dr. Faizan’s MS specialisation in musculoskeletal physical therapy focuses on exactly this kind of spine rehabilitation.

What to expect from a home visit

You will have a thorough assessment, begin treatment the same day, and receive a clear home programme that changes as you improve. Because care is delivered at home in Lahore, movements are rehearsed in your real setting, which makes them easier to keep up between sessions.

When to seek urgent help

Seek immediate medical care if you notice numbness around the groin, loss of bladder or bowel control, or rapidly increasing weakness in a limb. These signs are uncommon but require urgent assessment.

FAQ

Disc herniation: common questions

Can a herniated disc heal without surgery?

Yes. Most herniated discs improve with conservative care, and the disc itself often shrinks back over time. A progressive physiotherapy programme is the recommended first step, with surgery reserved for the minority of cases that do not respond or have significant nerve compression.

Is it safe to exercise with a slipped disc?

Guided, direction-specific exercise is not only safe for most people but is one of the most effective treatments. Your physiotherapist chooses movements that reduce your symptoms and avoids those that aggravate them, progressing gradually.

How long does a herniated disc take to settle?

Symptoms commonly ease over six to twelve weeks with the right care, though this varies with severity. Nerve-related leg pain often improves before the back stiffness fully resolves.

Do I need an MRI for a slipped disc?

Not always. Diagnosis is usually clinical, and scans are reserved for cases that do not improve or where surgery is being considered. An MRI finding of a disc bulge is common even in people with no pain, so results are always read alongside your symptoms.

Treated at home in Lahore

Book an assessment with Dr. Faizan Ahmad, DPT.

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