Assessment of Disc and Nerve Pain With MRI Review and Non-Surgical Management
If You’ve Been Told You Have a Slipped Disc, You’re Not Alone
“Slipped disc” is one of the most commonly used terms patients hear when they experience back pain with leg symptoms. While it is not a formal medical diagnosis, it is widely used to describe disc injuries that affect the spine and nearby nerves.
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Symptoms can range from ongoing lower back pain to sharp pain travelling into the buttock or leg, often making sitting, bending, or sleeping difficult.
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At Perth Chiro Centre, our clinical focus is the non surgical assessment and management of spinal conditions involving discs and nerve structures, including presentations commonly described as a slipped disc.
Common Symptoms Associated With a Slipped Disc
Symptoms vary depending on the location and severity of the disc injury.
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Common symptoms include:
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• Lower back pain
• Pain travelling into the buttock or leg
• Burning or sharp nerve pain
• Tingling or pins and needles
• Numbness
• Stiffness or reduced movement
• Pain aggravated by sitting
• Difficulty standing after prolonged sitting
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Some patients experience fluctuating symptoms, while others notice a sudden and severe onset.
What Does “Slipped Disc” Actually Mean?
Despite the name, spinal discs do not physically slip out of place.
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A “slipped disc” usually refers to one of the following disc injuries:
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• Disc bulge
• Disc herniation
• Disc extrusion
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These conditions involve changes to the shape or structure of the disc that may place pressure on surrounding tissues or nerve roots.
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Understanding the exact nature of the disc injury is important, as treatment decisions are guided by the clinical presentation rather than terminology alone.
What Causes a Slipped Disc?
Disc injuries often develop over time rather than from a single incident.
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Contributing factors may include:
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• Repetitive bending or lifting
• Prolonged sitting or spinal loading
• Sudden twisting movements
• Reduced disc resilience with age
• Previous disc injury
• Poor spinal stability
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In many cases, symptoms appear without a clear injury event.
Slipped Disc vs Disc Bulge vs Herniated Disc
The term “slipped disc” is often used to describe several different disc conditions.
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A disc bulge involves outward extension of the disc.
A herniated disc involves disruption of the disc wall.
An extrusion involves disc material extending beyond the disc space.
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Understanding these differences helps guide expectations and management decisions.
When Should a Slipped Disc Be Assessed?
Assessment is recommended if you experience:
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• Persistent or worsening back pain
• Pain travelling below the buttock
• Numbness or altered sensation
• Recurrent flare ups
• Difficulty sitting or standing
• Symptoms that disrupt sleep
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Early assessment helps determine whether conservative care is appropriate and whether further investigation is required.
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How We Assess Slipped Disc Presentations
Assessment focuses on understanding both the structural findings and how they relate to your symptoms.
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Evaluation aims to determine:
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• Whether symptoms are disc related
• Whether nerve structures are involved
• The severity of neurological findings
• Whether spinal decompression therapy may be appropriate
• Whether imaging or referral is indicated
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Where MRI or CT imaging is available, it is reviewed as part of the overall assessment.
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Clear diagnosis allows appropriate care pathways to be discussed.
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Click here to see other spinal conditions we treat.
Symptoms That Require Urgent Medical Attention
Seek immediate medical care if you experience:
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• Progressive muscle weakness
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Numbness in the saddle region
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These symptoms require emergency evaluation.
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Non Surgical Treatment Options
Management depends on the nature of the disc injury and individual presentation.
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Where clinically appropriate, conservative care may include:
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Structured Guidance on movement and activity modification
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Strategies to reduce disc loading
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Rehabilitation planning
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Ongoing monitoring of symptoms
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Spinal decompression therapy aims to reduce pressure within the disc and may assist in reducing nerve irritation in suitable patients.
Care plans are individualised and adjusted based on response.
Who May Not Be Suitable for Spinal Decompression Therapy
Spinal decompression therapy is not appropriate for every herniated disc.
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Alternative pathways may be necessary in cases involving:
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Significant neurological deficit
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Progressive weakness
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Certain large disc extrusions
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Spinal instability
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Conditions requiring surgical opinion
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Body Weight Exceeding 140kg
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Pregnancy
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Severe Vascular Disease
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Advanced Osteoporosis
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Spinal Fractures
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Bone Cancer
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Aortic Aneurysms
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Hyper-mobility of Joints
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Rheumatoid and Other Inflammatory Arthritis
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Where this is identified, referral is discussed promptly.
Why Patients With Disc Injuries Seek Our Clinic
Perth Chiro Centre is structured around the assessment and conservative management of spinal conditions involving discs and nerve irritation. Many patients attending the clinic have already been told they have a slipped disc, disc bulge, herniated disc, or sciatica and are unsure what it actually means for them or what to do next.
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Our focus is not general maintenance care. The clinic is designed specifically for patients experiencing back and leg symptoms that may relate to disc and nerve involvement.
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During your consultation we aim to determine whether your symptoms match your imaging findings, whether a nerve is being irritated, and whether conservative care is appropriate. This includes review of your MRI or CT scan, neurological examination, and discussion of realistic expectations.
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Where suitable, patients may be offered a structured spinal decompression program. These programs are progressive and monitored, with treatment adjusted according to clinical response rather than a fixed routine. The goal is to reduce mechanical pressure on sensitive spinal structures and allow irritated nerves to settle where possible.
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If findings suggest you are unlikely to benefit from conservative care, this will be discussed openly and referral pathways can be considered. Clear guidance is prioritised so patients understand both their condition and their options.
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Our Clinical Focus
Perth Chiro Centre is structured around the conservative management of disc and nerve related spinal conditions rather than routine spinal care.
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We are equipped with four spinal decompression tables, allowing structured and progressive care for patients where decompression is considered clinically appropriate.
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Our approach prioritises:
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clear assessment
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appropriate patient selection
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conservative pathways where suitable
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honest clinical guidance
When To Book an Assessment
Consider arranging an assessment if you:
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Have been diagnosed with a herniated disc
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Had had a CT or MRI of the area within the last 4 years
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Experience leg pain associated with back symptoms
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Notice numbness or weakness
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Have symptoms that are not improving
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Want to explore non surgical options
Frequently Asked Questions About Slipped Discs
Can a slipped disc heal?
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In many cases, yes.
A slipped disc does not always remain permanently irritated. The body can gradually reduce inflammation around the affected nerve and, over time, may partially resorb the protruded disc material. Symptoms often improve as nerve irritation settles, although the timeframe varies significantly between patients.
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The important factor is not simply the appearance of the disc on imaging, but whether the nerve is continuing to be irritated.
Some patients improve steadily, while others require guided conservative management to assist recovery.
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Is surgery always necessary?
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No.
Most slipped discs are managed without surgery. Surgical referral is typically considered only when there is progressive neurological weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, or persistent severe nerve pain that does not respond to conservative care.
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Many patients improve with appropriate monitoring, activity modification, and structured conservative management. The purpose of assessment is to identify which cases are suitable for non surgical care and which require specialist referral.
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Is walking good for a slipped disc?
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Usually, yes.
Gentle walking is often one of the safest and most beneficial activities because it promotes circulation, reduces stiffness, and helps prevent the spine from becoming overly guarded. Short, frequent walks are generally better tolerated than prolonged sitting or complete rest.
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However, walking tolerance varies. If leg pain rapidly worsens while walking, the walking distance may need to be temporarily reduced and progressed gradually.
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Is sitting bad for a slipped disc?
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Sitting commonly aggravates symptoms.
Sitting increases pressure within the lumbar discs and can place additional mechanical stress on an already irritated nerve. Many patients notice leg pain, numbness, or tingling increase during prolonged sitting, driving, or desk work.
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Frequent posture changes, standing breaks, and avoiding long uninterrupted sitting periods are usually helpful while the nerve is sensitive.
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How long does recovery take?
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Recovery time varies widely.
Some patients improve within several weeks, while others — particularly when significant nerve irritation is present — may take 3-4 months. Nerve tissue heals more slowly than muscle, and symptoms often fluctuate during recovery rather than improving in a straight line.
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The aim of management is to gradually reduce nerve irritation, maintain safe movement, and monitor neurological function while the disc and surrounding tissues settle.
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