What is a herniated disc?
Between your vertebrae sit shock-absorbing discs. As discs weaken with age, the soft center can push through the tougher outer ring and press on a nerve root. In the lower back this is a lumbar disc herniation, often called a slipped or herniated disc (Deyo & Mirza, 2016).
This article is general health information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist, see a doctor.
How is it different from regular back pain?
| Herniated disc | Ordinary back pain | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it hurts | Shoots from the buttock down the leg | Around the lower back |
| Other symptoms | Leg numbness, tingling, weakness | Usually none |
| Worse with | Sitting, coughing, sneezing, bending | Certain movements |
Sudden leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the groin area can signal cauda equina syndrome—get emergency care right away.
Treatment
Most people improve without surgery within weeks to months. The American College of Physicians (Qaseem et al., 2017) recommends starting low back pain care with non-drug options like heat, exercise, massage, acupuncture and spinal manipulation, adding NSAIDs if needed. Staying as active as you can beats bed rest. Surgery, such as a microdiscectomy, is considered for worsening nerve deficits or severe leg pain that persists despite adequate nonsurgical care.
FAQ
- Do I need an MRI?
- Not right away unless there are red flags like nerve weakness. Imaging is usually done if symptoms persist or a procedure is being considered.
- Can a herniated disc heal on its own?
- Yes, the herniated material often shrinks and is reabsorbed over time.
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-25
References
- Deyo, R. A., & Mirza, S. K. (2016). Herniated lumbar intervertebral disk. New England Journal of Medicine, 374(18), 1763–1772.
- Qaseem, A., Wilt, T. J., McLean, R. M., & Forciea, M. A. (2017). Noninvasive treatments for acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain: A clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine, 166(7), 514–530.