Back pain is one of the most common complaints amongst adults, and one of the most frequent causes is a slipped disc. While the term slipped disc can sound alarming, reassuringly most cases naturally improve over time without surgery, especially if you take sensible steps to manage it.
Here, we explain what a slipped disc in your back actually is, the symptoms to look out for, and what causes a disc to slip. We’ll also look at what you can do to treat one and when you should seek medical help.
What is a slipped disc?
Your spine (backbone) is made up of a series of bones called vertebrae. You have a spinal disc between each of your vertebrae. These discs act as a cushion and help absorb shock when you move, stopping your vertebrae from colliding into each other. They also make your spine flexible.
A slipped disc, also called a herniated disc or a prolapsed disc, happens when the soft inner part of a spinal disc pushes through a weakness or tear in the tougher outer layer. Picture an area of soft inner jelly emerging through a rubbery exterior.
Sometimes, when this soft centre pushes out, it can press against the nerves running up through your spine, leading to pain and other unwanted symptoms. Although a slipped disc can happen anywhere in the spine, it’s most common in the lower back (lumbar spine). It can also happen higher up, including in the neck (cervical spine).
Slipped disc symptoms: What to look out for
The symptoms of a slipped disc can vary depending on where the affected disc is located along your spine and whether it presses on a nerve.
Common slipped disc symptoms include:
- Pain (usually lower back pain or neck pain if the slipped disc is in your lower back or neck)
- Pain that radiates into a leg (often called sciatica) – for lower back slipped discs
- Pain that radiates into an arm – for upper back and neck slipped discs
- Numbness or tingling in the affected limb
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulties bending or straightening the back
- Pain that becomes worse when sitting, coughing, or sneezing
Some people experience symptoms that come on gradually, while others notice them suddenly – often after a specific movement, activity or accident.
What does a slipped disc feel like?
The feeling of a slipped disc in your back can range from a persistent dull ache to a sharp, shooting pain that travels down the leg or arm. If a nerve is affected, you may also experience pins and needles, numbness, or a feeling of weakness in the muscles supplied by that nerve.
It's important to note that not everyone with a slipped disc experiences symptoms, especially if it doesn’t press on a nerve. In some cases, a disc problem is only discovered during a scan performed for an unrelated reason.
When should you seek urgent help?
You should seek urgent medical attention, calling NHS 111 or attending A&E immediately, if you experience:
- Loss of bladder control
- Loss of bowel control
- Numbness around your groin, buttocks, or inner thighs (sometimes called saddle numbness)
- Weakness affecting both of your legs
These can be symptoms of a rare but serious condition called Cauda Equina Syndrome, which requires urgent assessment and treatment.
What causes a slipped disc?
The most common cause of a slipped disc is age-related wear and tear. As we get older, spinal discs naturally lose some of their water content and elasticity and can become worn and weakened. This makes them more vulnerable to damage.
Other causes of a slipped disc include:
- Using bad form when lifting a heavy object, leading to a slipped disc injury
- Performing repetitive movements that put stress on your back
- A sudden back injury
Certain factors can increase your likelihood of developing a slipped disc (slipped disc risk factors), including:
- Repeated heavy lifting, particularly when using poor lifting technique
- Repetitive bending, twisting, or physical strain on the back
- Poor posture
- Prolonged periods of sitting
- Being overweight or obese
- Smoking
- Having another condition that affects the back
- A family history of disc problems
In most cases, a slipped disc develops gradually over time rather than as the result of a single injury, even when symptoms come on quickly.
Can you push a slipped disc back in place?
A common misconception is that a slipped disc can simply be pushed back into position, but this isn’t true. It’s not the disc itself that has slipped out of place. Instead, some of the soft material within the disc has protruded through a weakness or tear in the tougher outer covering. The inner disc material can’t simply be pushed back inside.
Instead, slipped disc treatments focus on reducing the pressure placed on the affected nerves around the slipped disc while allowing the body to heal. Over time, the protruding disc material often shrinks naturally as it’s absorbed by your body, and symptoms can improve significantly.
This is reassuring news for most people, as many cases of a slipped disc improve with conservative treatment and do not require surgery. If your slipped disc symptoms persist or have a significant impact on your daily life, a specialist can discuss treatment options and recommend the most appropriate next steps.
Managing a slipped disc at home
Usually, slipped disc treatment begins at home. For most people, a slipped disc will gradually improve over time, especially if you take sensible measures to manage it.
While it can be tempting to stay in bed until your back pain eases, current advice is to try to remain as active as usual within your comfort limits. You should avoid strenuous activities that might make your slipped disc worse.
Gentle activities, such as walking and swimming, can keep the muscles that support your spine moving. They can also reduce stiffness and the chance of muscle cramping. It's important to avoid movements that significantly worsen your symptoms. Complete rest, on the other hand, can actually slow your recovery down.
Over-the-counter pain relief and anti-inflammatory medications can help manage discomfort, although always follow the instructions and speak to a pharmacist or GP if you're unsure whether they're suitable for you.
Some people also find relief by applying heat or ice packs to the affected area. Ice may help reduce inflammation during the early stages, while heat can ease muscle tension and stiffness.
Most people notice a significant improvement in their slipped disc symptoms within 4 to 6 weeks. However, if your symptoms aren’t improving, are becoming worse or are affecting your day-to-day life, you should seek professional medical advice.
When to see a specialist about your slipped disc
While many people find their slipped disc improves over time without specialist treatment, sometimes assessment by a medical professional is necessary.
You should consider seeing a specialist for your slipped disc if:
- Your pain isn’t improving after several weeks of treatment at home
- Painkillers aren’t providing adequate relief
- Your slipped disc symptoms are affecting your sleep, work, and/or mobility
- You experience numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness
- Your symptoms are recurring or becoming more severe
A specialist can assess the cause of your symptoms and recommend the most appropriate treatment options based on your individual circumstances.
At Ramsay Health Care, we can offer you a full range of slipped disc treatment options, from advanced diagnostics, physiotherapy and spinal injections to surgery for more severe cases. Find out more about herniated disc treatment at Ramsay.
If you’d like to talk to one of our advisors and book an appointment to see a specialist, contact us today by calling 0808 223 0500 or get in touch online.