A slipped disc happens when one of the soft cushions between your spinal bones bulges out of place. This can put pressure on nearby nerves, leading to symptoms like pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness, often in the lower back or down the legs.
Chiropractic care offers a gentle, non-invasive approach that may help relieve discomfort and improve how your spine moves. Techniques such as spinal adjustments are used carefully to support better spinal alignment, which may help reduce pressure on the affected disc. In many cases, we’ll also recommend targeted exercises to improve strength and mobility in the surrounding muscles, helping to stabilise your spine and support recovery.
It’s important to have a thorough assessment by a qualified healthcare professional before starting any treatment, to rule out more serious conditions.
Slipped discs – also known as disc prolapses or herniations – are relatively common, especially in adults over 30. They occur when one of the soft discs between your spinal bones bulges or pushes out of place. This can lead to lower back pain, as well as numbness, tingling, or weakness if nearby nerves are irritated.
In many cases, the pain travels down the leg along the path of the nerve – a symptom commonly known as sciatica.
Chiropractic treatment may include gentle spinal adjustments to reduce pressure on the affected nerves, along with individualised exercises and lifestyle advice to support healing and improve mobility.
Slipped discs can also carry a financial burden – from time off work to ongoing healthcare costs. Chiropractic care aims to help you get back to doing the things you love, improving both your comfort and quality of life, without relying on medication or surgery.
A slipped disc in the lower back (also called a herniated or prolapsed disc) can cause different symptoms depending on where the disc is pressing on a nerve.
The most common signs include:
These symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe pain that affects your ability to carry out daily tasks.
In rare but serious cases, a slipped disc can lead to Cauda Equina Syndrome, which may cause:
This is a medical emergency and needs immediate hospital attention. If you experience these symptoms, seek urgent medical care right away.
A slipped disc can happen for several reasons, including:
Slipped discs become more common with age, as the discs naturally lose some of their flexibility and cushioning ability over time.
If you’re dealing with any of these symptoms, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis from a qualified, regulated healthcare professional—such as a chiropractor.
While a slipped disc is a common cause of these symptoms, other more serious conditions can feel similar. These include Cauda Equina Syndrome, spinal infections, tumours, or nerve damage—all of which may require urgent medical care.
Chiropractors are trained to assess your symptoms thoroughly. If your case needs medical referral, they can identify red flags and direct you to the appropriate care. Getting the right diagnosis early helps prevent complications and ensures you receive safe, effective treatment or referral when needed.
Treatment is tailored to your needs and often combines gentle hands-on techniques with exercises and lifestyle advice.
Chiropractors use spinal adjustments, which are carefully applied to help reduce pressure on the affected disc and nearby nerves. Research has shown these adjustments may help relieve pain and support better mobility.
In some cases, your chiropractor may also use passive techniques, such as the Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT). This involves lying face down while soft padded wedges are placed under the pelvis. With the help of gravity, this gentle approach encourages natural alignment of the spine and pelvis, aiming to reduce irritation in the lower back.
To complement the hands-on care, chiropractors often recommend rehabilitative exercises. These focus on:
This combined approach supports long-term recovery and helps many patients return to everyday activities with more confidence and less discomfort.
