Lower Back & Spine
Slip disc
Medical name: Lumbar Disc Bulge / Slip Disc
The soft centre of a disc pushes outwards and can irritate a nearby nerve. The large majority settle without surgery.
Talking to a physio on WhatsApp or by phone is free. Prefer a form? Book online
Go to a hospital today if you have:
- Numbness between the legs or around the back passage
- New trouble passing urine, or controlling your bladder or bowels
- Weakness in both legs, or a foot that keeps getting weaker
- Back pain with fever, unexplained weight loss, or after a bad fall
These need urgent medical care before physiotherapy.
Typical signs
- Back pain worse on sitting or bending
- Pain travelling into the leg
- Difficulty straightening up
How physiotherapy helps
Positions and traction that offload the disc, nerve-calming progressions, then core and hip strengthening.
This page can't diagnose you. A physio can tell you what's causing your pain, so message or call us if you're unsure.
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