Conditions we treat
Herniated Disc Treatment in Surrey, BC
A "slipped" disc sounds scarier than it usually is — most disc injuries settle with the right conservative care and time.
What it feels like
- Back or neck pain that may travel into an arm or leg
- Tingling, numbness or weakness along one limb
- Pain that changes with sitting, bending, coughing or sneezing
Why it happens
Discs are the shock absorbers between your vertebrae. When the outer wall weakens, the inner material can bulge and press on nearby nerves. The size of the bulge matters less than which nerve is irritated and how your body is responding — two people with identical scans can have completely different symptoms.
How we can help
We start with a careful assessment of how your spine and nerves are behaving — where the irritation is, what aggravates it and what calms it. Your practitioner then builds a care plan around your specific presentation and adjusts it as you progress; disc recovery is rarely linear, so the plan is reviewed rather than fixed. If anything about your case suggests it needs further investigation, we will tell you honestly and help you take the next step.
Related reading: Does massage therapy help with back pain? · Related condition: Sciatica
Common questions
Do I need an MRI before starting treatment?
Usually not. For most disc-related pain, a thorough physical assessment tells us what we need to begin safe, conservative care. Imaging becomes important when specific warning signs are present — and if we spot any in your assessment, we will tell you and help you arrange follow-up with your physician.
Can a herniated disc improve without surgery?
Many do. Research consistently shows that a large share of disc herniations improve with time and conservative care, and some even shrink on follow-up imaging. Every case is different, though — which is why we reassess as you go rather than assuming a fixed path.