Herniated Disc Treatment

What Is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc (also called a slipped or ruptured disc) occurs when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through a crack in the tougher exterior. This can irritate nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg.

Symptoms

• Sharp or burning pain in the back, neck, arm, or leg
• Numbness or tingling that radiates from the spine
• Muscle weakness in the affected area
• Pain that worsens with certain movements or positions
• Difficulty sitting, standing, or walking for extended periods

Physical Therapy for Herniated Discs

The good news: most herniated discs improve significantly with physical therapy, without surgery. At Tula, your therapist will use a combination of approaches to reduce your pain and help the disc heal:

• Directional preference exercises — specific movements that centralize and reduce your pain
• Manual therapy — hands-on techniques to improve spinal mobility
• Core stabilization — building the muscular support system around your spine
• Nerve mobilization — gentle techniques to reduce nerve irritation
• Ergonomic and lifestyle modifications — practical changes for daily relief

Recovery Timeline

Most patients with herniated discs see meaningful improvement within 6–12 weeks of physical therapy. Your therapist will track your progress with objective measures and adjust your plan accordingly.