What Should You Do If You Think You Have a Herniated Disc?
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Many people worry that a herniated disc means they'll have back pain for the rest of their lives. The good news is—that's usually not the case.
In fact, studies have shown that many adults over the age of 30 have one or more herniated discs without having any pain at all. A herniated disc is often part of the normal aging process and doesn't always cause symptoms.
Is the Herniated Disc Really Causing Your Pain?
This is one of the most important questions. If an MRI shows a herniated disc, it doesn't automatically mean that the disc is the reason your back hurts. Sometimes it's simply an incidental finding—something that appears on the scan but isn't causing your current problem. That's why it's important to have a thorough examination instead of relying on MRI results alone.
When Is a Herniated Disc More Likely to Be the Problem?
A herniated disc is more likely to be the source of your pain if you have:
Sudden, severe low back pain
Pain shooting down one leg
Numbness or tingling below the knee
Weakness in the leg or foot
When these symptoms are present and an MRI confirms that the disc is pressing on a spinal nerve, the herniated disc is likely responsible for the pain.
The majority of people with low back pain do not have pain traveling down the leg.
Instead, the pain may come from:
Tight or injured muscles
Strained ligaments
Irritated tendons
Stiff or restricted spinal joints
Or a combination of several problems
A herniated disc may be part of the picture, but it is not always the main cause of the pain.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
The goal is to identify what is actually causing your pain and create the right treatment plan.
For most people, conservative treatment works very well. This may include:
Chiropractic adjustments to restore normal movement
Activity modification and appropriate rest
Stretching and rehabilitative exercises to improve strength and flexibility
These treatments help reduce pain, improve mobility, and support long-term recovery without surgery in many cases.
Only a small percentage of patients with significant nerve compression require more advanced medical treatment. For most people, chiropractic care is an excellent place to start.
Don't Ignore Your Low Back Pain
What feels like a simple ache today may not be as simple as it seems. Waiting until the pain becomes severe—or until it starts traveling down your leg—can make recovery more difficult.
The sooner the cause of your pain is identified, the sooner you can begin the right treatment and get back to doing the things you enjoy.
Don't wait until your back pain gets worse. If you're experiencing low back pain, schedule an evaluation at Spinal Solutions Chiropractic. We'll determine what's causing your pain and create a treatment plan that's right for you.
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