What is a disc herniation?
A disc herniation occurs when part of an intervertebral disc pushes outward and irritates nearby structures, sometimes including spinal nerves. Disc injuries are most common in the lower back (but also occur in the neck) and may contribute to:
- low back pain
- sciatica
- numbness or tingling
- leg pain
- weakness
- stiffness
- difficulty bending or sitting
Many people are surprised to learn that disc herniations are actually quite common — including in people who have little or no pain at all.
Imaging findings do not always perfectly match symptoms, which is why a proper assessment and clinical evaluation are important
Do Disc Herniations Require Surgery?
In majority of cases, no
Research consistently shows that many disc herniations improve over time with conservative care and do not require surgery. In fact, most people with disc-related low back pain recover without surgical intervention.
Surgery may sometimes be necessary in severe cases involving:
- progressive neurological weakness
- significant loss of function
- severe nerve compression
- loss of bowel or bladder control
- symptoms that fail to improve with appropriate conservative management
However, for many individuals, non-surgical treatment approaches are often recommended first.
How Chiropractic Care May Help Disc Herniations
At Reform Health & Wellness, chiropractic treatment for disc-related pain focuses on improving movement, reducing mechanical stress, and supporting recovery without surgery whenever appropriate.
Treatment may include:
- spinal mobilization or adjustments
- Flexion-distraction therapy (gentle traction)
- McKenzie method
- soft tissue therapy for spasmed muscles (may include dry needling)
- posture and ergonomic recommendations
- activity modification guidance
- rehabilitation exercises
- education about movement and recovery
The goal is not to “push the disc back into place,” but rather to help improve spinal function, reduce irritation, and support the body’s natural recovery process.
Ready to get moving again?
At Reform Health & Wellness, we provide specific treatment designed to help patients recover from varying severities of disc injuries
Why people trust Reform
- evidence-informed care
- collaborative care approach
- individualized treatment plans
- longer treatment times
- rehab/exercise emphasis
- patient education
Ready to get started? Start your recovery today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What you need to know about our approach to disc herniation treatment
The McKenzie Method, also known as Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), is an assessment and treatment approach commonly used for back pain, disc injuries, and sciatica.
The McKenzie Method focuses on identifying specific movements or positions that may reduce symptoms and improve function.
Many patients with disc-related pain experience a phenomenon called centralization, where symptoms move out of the leg and become more localized to the lower back. This is often considered a positive response during treatment.
McKenzie-based exercises are commonly incorporated into rehabilitation programs when appropriate for the individual's presentation.
Neurodynamics refers to exercises designed to improve the mobility and tolerance of the nervous system.
When a nerve becomes irritated, inflamed, or sensitive, movement can sometimes become restricted. Neurodynamic exercises (often called nerve glides or nerve flossing exercises) are designed to help nerves move more comfortably through surrounding tissues.
These exercises may be used for:
- sciatica
- disc-related nerve irritation
- radiating leg pain
- numbness or tingling
- certain neck-related nerve symptoms
Unlike aggressive stretching, neurodynamic exercises are generally designed to gently mobilize the nerve without excessively increasing tension.
The answer depends on the individual, but during painful flare-ups, some people may benefit from temporarily modifying activities such as:
- repetitive bending
- heavy lifting
- prolonged sitting
- twisting under load
- high-impact activities
Complete rest is rarely recommended for extended periods. Gradual movement and appropriate exercise are often important parts of recovery.
Recovery timelines vary depending on the severity of symptoms, overall health, activity demands, and individual response to treatment.
Many patients begin noticing improvement within days to weeks, while more significant recovery may take several months. Current research reports about 90 days for recovery. Consistency with rehabilitation and activity modification often plays an important role in long-term outcomes.
They can. While many people recover successfully, recurring symptoms may occur if underlying contributing factors are not addressed.
Long-term management often involves:
- improving spinal mobility
- building core and spinal strength
- addressing movement patterns
- maintaining physical activity
- learning strategies to manage future flare-ups
This is why chiropractic care, physiotherapy, McKenzie-based rehabilitation, and neurodynamic exercises are often combined to help reduce recurrence and improve long-term outcomes.
