What is a Slipped Disc?
Pain, hunched over, off work… These are the things that most people think when they hear the words ‘slipped disc’. In actual fact, the term ‘slipped disc’ is very misleading.
Your discs are made of tough, very strong tissue and sit between the bones in your spine to provide support, act as shock absorbers, and allow slight movement between the vertebrae. They are made up of a thick outer layer with a soft, more gel like structure in the middle.
What the term ‘Slipped Disc’ actually describes in when a crack forms in the thick outer layer and some of the gel like substance protrudes through. The medical term is actually ‘Disc Herniation’. So discs don’t slip at all, the inner part occasionally protrudes through a crack in the outer part.
What causes a Slipped Disc?
In our last blog we talked about what a slipped disc is, but now lets explore what causes a slipped disc
You might be surprised to hear that disc herniation is extremely common. In fact, I bet if you are over the age of 25 it’s highly likely you’ve had some degree of disc herniation in the past. Despite common misconceptions, herniated discs are a normal part of getting older – a bit like ‘wrinkles on the inside’. Usually they don’t cause any pain whatsoever.
Disc herniation happens due to mechanical forces on the spine providing wear to the disc. Over time this wear can lead to disc herniation.
When this disc herniation compresses on the nerve route, which is the bundle of nerves that comes out from the spinal cord, they can cause a lot of pain. This pain can both be in the lower back, and also down the leg and / or legs.
The main difference between somebody who has a disc herniation which causes pain and someone that doesn’t is the degree of irritation. If there’s excessive pressure placed upon that disc herniation, naturally they are going to cause much more pain than if you were able to take the pressure off of it. This is where physiotherapy can really help.
The good news is that disc herniations usually heal very well on their own, without the need for surgery. The body’s healing process reabsorbs the protruding disc substance and the outer layer repairs itself.
If your symptoms include incontinence or other bladder and bowel dysfunction, or you’ve got raging 10/10 pain 24/7 down both legs, then it might be worth going to the hospital to rule out cauda equina syndrome (which is where the disc injury causes compression on the nerves which supply the bladder and bowel), but otherwise you should be able to treat your disc injury very successfully conservatively.
How to treat a Slipped Disc in Huddersfield
If you have a slipped disc, it’s very important that you are assessed by a therapist to find out what’s driving your specific symptoms. We offer initial assessments at our Huddersfield clinic to help people get to the bottom of their pain.
In the meantime, to help with the symptoms keeping moving as best you can is key. This may mean taking some painkillers in the short term, and avoiding movements that cause pain. Heat and cold can help with the pain short term, and taking regular rests and moving little and often is best.
The importance of finding the true stressor for your ‘Slipped Disc’
If you’ve got a slipped disc that’s causing a lot of pain, it’s extremely important that you assess the rest of your body to ensure it is functioning as well as possible. If your leg isn’t doing as much as it can to take load away from the back, for example, it can make the symptoms of a slipped disc much worse. This may be a result of an old injury.
Our therapists in Huddersfield and Denby Dale assess not just the back but the whole body, identifying hidden movement patterns that may worsen your disc herniation. With this approach, our patients receive a targeted treatment plan from a specialist herniated disc physiotherapist, improving recovery and preventing future flare-ups.
Reclaiming Life After a Herniated Disc
June had a knee replacement 2 years ago. Since then, her body had been relying more on her hip and lower back to protect the knee, which gradually put extra pressure on an existing disc herniation. The disc became irritated because her back was overworking. After treating her back and strengthening her leg to share the load, her pain nearly disappeared, and she was able to lift her grandkids and enjoy long walks completely pain free.
Take Control of Your Slipped Disc Today
A slipped disc, or herniated disc, doesn’t have to mean ongoing pain or giving up the activities you love. With the right assessment and a tailored physiotherapy plan, it’s possible to relieve symptoms, restore function, and prevent future flare-ups. At our Huddersfield and Denby Dale clinics, our experienced physiotherapists provide expert care for slipped discs and herniated discs, focusing on identifying the root cause of your pain and helping your body work efficiently again.
Early intervention is key – the sooner you seek help from a herniated disc physiotherapist, the faster you can get back to daily life, sports, and hobbies without discomfort. Don’t wait for the pain to take over your routine; book a consultation today and start your journey to a stronger, pain-free back.