Disc Herniation: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Disc Herniation?
A primary care doctor, an orthopedic doctor (a bone and joint doctor), or a neurosurgeon (a brain and spine surgeon) can help with a disc herniation. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is a disc herniation?
A herniated disc is also called a slipped disc.
The spine is made of bones called vertebrae. The bones are separated by disks that cushion the spine.
A herniated disk happens when all or part of a disk is forced through a weak part of the disk. This may press on nearby nerves or the spinal cord.
A herniated disk is a disk that ruptures, or breaks open. The jelly-like center of the disk then leaks and irritates nearby nerves. This can cause sciatica or back pain.
Symptoms
The pain most often happens on one side of the body. Symptoms depend on where the injury is.
With a herniated disk in the lower back, you may have:
- Sharp pain in one part of the leg, hip, or buttocks, and numbness in other parts.
- Pain or numbness in the back of the calf or sole of the foot.
- A weak leg on the same side.
With a herniated disk in the neck, you may have:
- Pain when you move your neck, or deep pain near the shoulder blade.
- Pain that moves to the upper arm, forearm, and fingers.
- Numbness along the shoulder, elbow, forearm, and fingers.
The pain often starts slowly. It may get worse when you sneeze, cough, or laugh.
You may have weak muscles. Sometimes you do not notice it until your provider examines you.
Causes and who gets it
A disk may move out of place or break open from injury or strain. As you age, disks break down and lose their cushioning ability.
The lower back is the most common area affected. The neck is the second most common area. The upper-to-mid back is rarely involved.
Herniated disks happen more often in middle-aged and older men, usually after strenuous activity. Other risk factors may include:
- Lifting heavy objects.
- Being overweight.
- Bending or twisting the lower back or neck again and again.
- Sitting or standing in the same position for long hours.
- Being inactive.
- Smoking.
How doctors diagnose it
The first step is a careful physical exam and history. Your provider may check for numbness, muscle reflexes, and muscle strength. They may also look at your posture and how well you can bend your spine.
Tests may include:
- A spine MRI or CT scan, which are pictures that show where the disk presses on the spinal canal.
- Electromyography (EMG), a test that finds which spinal nerve root is involved.
- A spine x-ray to check for other causes of pain.
An x-ray alone cannot diagnose a herniated disk.
Treatment
The first treatment is a short period of rest and medicines for pain. This is usually followed by physical therapy. Most people who follow these treatments recover and return to normal activities.
Your provider may prescribe pain medicines, medicines to calm the nerves, or muscle relaxants for back spasms.
Physical therapists teach you how to lift, dress, and walk the right way. They also teach you how to strengthen the muscles that support the spine.
At home, you can:
- Reduce activity for the first few days, then slowly restart your usual activities.
- Avoid heavy lifting or twisting your back for the first 6 weeks after the pain starts.
Some people need more treatment, such as steroid injections or surgery. Steroid injections may help control pain for several months. They do not fix the underlying problem, and pain may return.
Surgery may be an option if symptoms do not go away with other treatments and time. One surgery is a diskectomy, which removes all or part of a disk.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if you have severe back pain that does not go away. Also contact your provider about any numbness, loss of movement, or weakness in an arm or leg.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have back pain with numbness around your buttocks or genitals, trouble passing urine, loss of control of urine or stool, or loss of feeling in one or both legs. Do not drive yourself. Ask someone to drive you or call an ambulance. Also go for a head or spine injury, or sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can check your symptoms and order or review tests. They can help with follow-up and refer you to a spine or nerve specialist if you need one.
Common questions
Does a herniated disc go away on its own?
Pain, numbness, or weakness often goes away or improves a lot over weeks to months. Most people who follow treatment recover.
Do I need surgery for a herniated disc?
Not always. Most people who follow rest, medicines, and physical therapy recover and return to normal activities. Surgery may be an option if your symptoms do not go away with other treatments and time.
How long does recovery take?
It may take several months to a year or more to return to all your activities without pain or straining your back. You may have long-term back pain, even after treatment.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
