A herniated disc happens when the soft centre of a spinal disc pushes through its tougher outer ring, often pressing on a nearby nerve. That is what produces pain radiating into an arm or leg, along with numbness or weakness. The important thing to know is that most herniated discs improve with conservative care, and imaging findings frequently look worse than how the person actually feels.
Herniated, Bulging, Slipped — What's the Difference?
People use these interchangeably and they are not quite the same. A bulging disc has flattened and spread outward while its outer ring is still intact. A herniated disc has material pushing through that ring. "Slipped disc" is a common phrase but nothing actually slips — discs are firmly attached to the vertebrae above and below.
The distinction matters less than you would think. What matters is whether it is touching a nerve, and what is loading it that way in the first place.
Symptoms That Point to a Disc
- Pain radiating into an arm or leg rather than staying local — see sciatica for the leg version
- Numbness, tingling, or pins and needles along a specific path
- Weakness in a muscle group — a foot that drags, a weakening grip
- Pain that worsens with sitting, bending forward, coughing, or sneezing
- Relief from lying down or from certain positions but not others
Why Imaging Alone Does Not Decide It
Disc abnormalities show up on MRIs of people with no pain at all, and they become more common with age. So a scan showing a herniation does not on its own prove that herniation is what hurts. The exam is what connects the imaging to your actual symptoms, and that connection is what should drive the treatment decision.
How Dr. Hansen Treats It
Care is conservative and non-surgical. After examining you and reviewing imaging where it exists, Dr. Hansen typically combines specific spinal adjustments to restore normal joint motion with mechanical traction, which gently decompresses the disc and reduces pressure on the nerve. Therapeutic exercise supports the correction so it holds.
Where inflamed tissue is part of the picture, SoftWave therapy may be added.
When Surgery Genuinely Is the Answer
Progressive weakness, symptoms that keep worsening despite good conservative care, or any loss of bowel or bladder control mean you need a surgical opinion — the last of those is an emergency, not an appointment. Dr. Hansen will tell you directly if he thinks you are in that category and refer you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a herniated disc heal on its own?
Many do improve over time, and conservative care aims to take pressure off the nerve while that happens. The disc material itself often reduces gradually. What conservative care changes is the mechanics loading it, which is what stops the cycle repeating.
Is chiropractic safe with a herniated disc?
Yes, when the chiropractor has examined you and knows what they are working with. That is exactly why Dr. Hansen examines and reviews imaging first rather than adjusting on assumption. Technique is adapted to the case.
Do I need an MRI first?
Not necessarily. Dr. Hansen will tell you if he needs imaging to make a safe decision. If you already have a scan, bring it — it is useful context, not a verdict on its own.
How long does treatment take?
It depends on how long it has been going on and how the nerve is behaving. You will get an honest plan after the exam, not a number before it.
Last reviewed 2026-09-10 by Hansen Chiropractic. This page is general information, not medical advice. Individual results vary.
Claim the $47 Screening