What Is a Slipped Disc? Understanding the Symptoms and Treatment Options
Most patients who come into our office aren’t asking whether they have a bulging disc or a herniated disc. They’re asking why their back hurts, why pain is shooting down their leg, or why the numbness in their foot won’t go away.
In some cases, they may suspect that they have a “slipped disc,” but that phrase can be misleading. Understanding what’s actually contributing to your symptoms helps determine which treatment approach makes sense.
The good news is that many disc-related conditions can be managed conservatively. But before deciding what treatment may be appropriate, it’s important to understand what’s actually happening inside the spine.
What Is a Slipped Disc?
Despite the name, a slipped disc doesn’t mean one of the discs in your spine has literally slipped out of place.
“The material inside the disc may be squeezing outward and putting pressure on the nerves. It’s not that the disc is actually slipping and dancing around.”
– Dr. Edgar Rivera, chiropractor at Oviedo Chiropractic
The discs sit between the vertebrae and act as cushions that absorb shock while allowing the spine to move. Each disc has a soft, gel-like center surrounded by a tougher outer layer. Over time, or after an injury, the outer layer can weaken, allowing some of the inner material to push outward.
This may be described as a bulging disc, herniated disc, or disc protrusion.
We Offer Same-Day Appointments
What Causes a Slipped Disc?
A slipped disc usually develops because the outer layer of the disc has been placed under more stress than it can handle. Sometimes this happens suddenly after lifting something heavy or experiencing an injury, but it can also occur gradually over time as the spine experiences normal wear and tear.
Several factors can increase the likelihood of a disc injury, including:
- Age-related degeneration that weakens the outer portion of the disc
- Repetitive bending, lifting, or twisting motions
- Prolonged sitting, especially with poor posture
- Physically demanding jobs or repetitive desk work
- Sports injuries or sudden trauma, including auto accidents
Having one or more of these risk factors doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll develop a disc problem, and many people have disc changes without experiencing pain. When symptoms do occur, they’re often related to whether the damaged disc is irritating a nearby spinal nerve rather than the disc itself.
Common Symptoms of a Slipped Disc
Most issues with slipped discs are not caused by the disc itself but due to the inner material putting pressure on a nearby nerve.
Depending on which nerve is affected and how much irritation is present, symptoms may include:
- Burning pain
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Muscle weakness
- Pain that radiates into an arm or leg
“During an exam, if a patient feels a burning sensation down the arms, legs, glutes, or thighs, or they experience numbness, tingling, or weakness, that is usually a red flag that there may be some disc or nerve involvement.”
— Dr. Edgar Rivera, chiropractor at Oviedo Chiropractic
These symptoms can suggest that a disc or spinal nerve may be involved, but they are not unique to disc injuries. Joint restrictions, muscle injuries, and other conditions can produce similar symptoms, which is why a thorough examination is needed to determine the true source of the problem.
Why Disc Symptoms May Travel Into the Arms, Legs, Glutes, or Thighs
The nerves that exit the spine continue into other areas of the body. Because of this, symptoms caused by an irritated spinal nerve are not always felt at the location of the affected disc.
A disc problem in the neck may cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the shoulder, arm, hand, or fingers. A disc problem in the lower back may produce symptoms that travel into the glute, thigh, calf, foot, or toes.
This type of traveling discomfort is often referred to as radiating pain or referred pain. It occurs because pressure or irritation near the spine can affect the nerve along its pathway, causing symptoms to appear farther away from the original source.
How We Determine Whether a Disc Is Actually the Problem
Back pain isn’t always caused by a disc. Restricted joints, muscle tension, ligament injuries, and disc problems can all produce similar symptoms, which is why identifying the source of the pain is one of the most important parts of care.
At Oviedo Chiropractic, the examination may include a detailed health history, orthopedic testing, neurological testing, movement assessment, and imaging when medically necessary. These findings help the doctors determine whether the symptoms are more consistent with disc involvement, a joint movement problem, a soft-tissue injury, or another condition.
Rather than assuming every patient has the same condition, the goal is to determine what’s contributing to your symptoms and build a treatment plan around those findings.
How Imaging Helps Diagnose Slipped Discs and Other Spinal Injuries
Imaging can provide important information when the examination suggests that a disc, spinal nerve, or other structure may be involved.
At Oviedo Chiropractic, in-house X-rays are often used to evaluate spinal alignment, joint spacing, disc-height changes, and signs of trauma or degeneration. These findings can help the doctors identify areas of possible compression and determine whether certain treatments can be performed safely.
“We always do imaging on a patient who has positive orthopedic or neurological exams. Our initial exam helps indicate whether it is medically necessary to take those images.”
— Dr. Justin Cough, chiropractor at Oviedo Chiropractic
X-rays do not show the discs and nerves in the same detail as an MRI. If symptoms suggest nerve compression or a herniated disc, an MRI may be recommended to provide a clearer view of the discs, spinal nerves, and surrounding soft tissues. A CT scan may also be used when more detailed imaging of the bones or other spinal structures is needed.
The doctors consider the imaging results alongside your symptoms, health history, orthopedic testing, neurological testing, and movement assessment. Imaging is one part of the diagnosis—not the only factor used to decide what is causing the pain or which treatment may be appropriate.
Treatment Options for a Slipped Disc
A slipped disc doesn’t automatically mean you’ll need the same treatment as someone else with a similar diagnosis. Two people can have similar imaging findings but very different symptoms, examination results, and treatment needs.
“We decide between adjustments, decompression, laser, massage, rehab, or referral based on the examination, but also based on how the patient is feeling.”
— Dr. Justin Cough, chiropractor at Oviedo Chiropractic
Depending on what your evaluation reveals, care may begin with one or more conservative treatments designed to improve movement, restore control, and address the structures contributing to your symptoms.
1. Chiropractic Adjustments
When restricted joint motion is contributing to pain or movement limitations, chiropractic adjustments may help improve spinal mobility and restore healthier movement patterns.
2. Rehabilitation Exercises
Targeted exercises may help restore strength, stability, flexibility, and movement control while reducing stress on the affected area.
3. Medical Massage Therapy
Medical massage therapy may be recommended to address muscle tension, soft tissue restrictions, and movement-related discomfort that often develop alongside a disc or spinal injury.
4. Referral When Necessary
Some conditions require additional testing or consultation with another healthcare provider.
If your examination suggests that another specialist is better suited to manage your condition, we’ll recommend the appropriate referral to help ensure you receive the care you need.
How ReliefNow™ Laser Therapy May Support Recovery
ReliefNow™ Laser Therapy may be included when inflammation, soft-tissue irritation, stiffness, or reduced mobility is contributing to a patient’s symptoms.
The treatment is designed to support cellular activity and circulation in injured tissues. In a disc-related treatment plan, it may be used alongside chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation, or spinal decompression to address irritated tissues surrounding the affected area.
“The major thing to understand about laser is that people don’t see results on day one. I always say it’s like planting a seed in the ground, and then you have to keep watering it to see the flowers.”
— Dr. Justin Cough, chiropractor at Oviedo Chiropractic
That gradual process is important to understand. Laser therapy is not intended to reposition a disc or provide an immediate cure. Its role is to support the body’s healing response as part of a broader, diagnosis-led treatment plan.
Whether laser therapy is appropriate depends on the patient’s examination findings, the age and severity of the injury, and how the condition is responding to other conservative treatments.
When Spinal Decompression May Be Considered
Spinal decompression is another treatment option. During treatment, a computerized table applies a controlled, gentle stretching force to a targeted area of the spine. The goal is to reduce pressure within the affected vertebrae, create more space around irritated nerves, and support fluid movement within the disc.
“The disc essentially holds fluid in our spine and expands and contracts with movement. When we decompress the joints, we can vacuum more fluid into the disc so the disc can rehydrate and start pumping again.”
— Dr. Justin Cough, chiropractor at Oviedo Chiropractic
Because discs receive nutrients through fluid exchange rather than a direct blood supply, improving disc mechanics may help support the tissue’s normal function. Decompression may also help reduce the pressure contributing to symptoms such as radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness.
However, the presence of back pain or even a disc abnormality does not automatically make someone a candidate. At Oviedo Chiropractic, the doctors consider orthopedic and neurological testing, X-ray measurements, previous MRI findings, symptoms, and health history before recommending decompression.
When appropriate, spinal decompression may be combined with rehabilitation, chiropractic adjustments, or ReliefNow™ Laser Therapy as part of a broader treatment plan.
Who May Not Be a Candidate for Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression is designed for specific types of disc compression and nerve involvement. It may not be the most appropriate treatment when a patient’s symptoms are primarily caused by restricted joint motion, muscle tension, soft-tissue injury, or another condition that does not involve significant disc compression.
“If someone is a poor candidate for decompression, their symptoms may be more correlated to a joint movement problem where we can do chiropractic, physical therapy, or massage.”
— Dr. Justin Cough, chiropractor at Oviedo Chiropractic
Certain health conditions, previous procedures, or structural findings may also affect whether decompression can be performed safely. This is why the doctors review the patient’s medical history, examination findings, and available imaging before recommending treatment.
Patients who are not candidates for spinal decompression may still benefit from another conservative approach, such as chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation exercises, ReliefNow™ Laser Therapy, or medical massage therapy. When the findings suggest that conservative care is not appropriate, the doctors may recommend further imaging or referral to another healthcare provider.
Find the Right Treatment for Your Symptoms
Back pain, radiating leg pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness can have several possible causes. A slipped or herniated disc may be involved, but the right treatment depends on what your examination and imaging actually show.
At Oviedo Chiropractic, Dr. Justin Cough and Dr. Edgar Rivera use a diagnosis-led approach to determine whether your symptoms are related to disc compression, nerve irritation, restricted joint motion, or another musculoskeletal condition.
From there, they can recommend an appropriate conservative treatment plan or refer you for additional care when necessary.
If you’re dealing with persistent neck pain, low back pain, sciatica, or other symptoms that may be related to a spinal disc injury, schedule an evaluation at Oviedo Chiropractic. The clinic serves patients from Oviedo, Winter Springs, East Orlando, and surrounding communities, with Saturday appointments and same-day treatment often available after the examination.
