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A bulging or herniated disc in the lower back, often called a slipped disc, can cause back and leg pain. Many disc bulges improve on their own over time. We help you manage the pain and stay active while they do.
The discs between the bones of the spine have a tough outer layer and a softer centre. With age and everyday strain, the outer layer can weaken, letting the disc bulge, or the centre push through (a herniation). Despite the name, a disc doesn’t actually slip out of place.
Disc bulges are very common on scans, even in people without pain. They only cause symptoms when they irritate the surrounding tissues or press on a nerve.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a disc bulge
Low back pain
Pain in the lower back, often worse when bending, sitting or coughing.
Leg pain (sciatica)
Pain travelling down the leg if a nerve is irritated.
Pins and needles or numbness
Tingling or numbness in the leg or foot.
Stiffness
Difficulty bending forward or straightening up.
Any of the warning signs under When to get urgent help need medical attention straight away.
Treatment options
Treatment for a disc bulge
Chiropractic
First appointment £70, follow-ups £50
Gentle hands-on treatment and exercises to ease pain and help you move more comfortably.
An explanation of your scan or symptoms in plain English
Gentle treatment suited to disc-related pain
Spinal decompression on site
Referral for further tests if needed
How it works
Your four-step journey
01
Get in touch
Book online or call us. Many of our consultations are free.
02
Assessment
We listen to your history, examine you and, where it helps, scan the area with ultrasound.
03
Your plan
We explain what we think is going on and your options, with costs, so you can decide.
04
Treatment and review
We start treatment if it’s right for you, and check your progress as you go.
Self-care
Helping yourself
Stay as active as you can within your pain, with short walks through the day.
Avoid long periods of sitting, and get up and move regularly.
Return to exercise gradually, and avoid heavy lifting until your pain settles.
When to get urgent help
Don’t wait with these
Call 999 or go to A&E straight away if you have back pain with any of these:
new difficulty passing urine, or loss of bladder or bowel control
numbness around your genitals or back passage
weakness in your legs that is getting worse quickly
Seek urgent medical advice if your pain comes with a fever, follows a significant fall or injury, or you have a history of cancer, or feel generally unwell.
Your clinicians
Meet our chiropractors
Gary Edwards
Injection Therapist and Chiropractor, Clinic Director
GCC 03996
Orit Edwards
Chiropractor
GCC 04042
Jean-Luc Lafitte
Chiropractor
GCC 00771
Registered and regulated
Google reviews
What our patients say
5.0from 150 Google reviews
Lower back pain★★★★★
I went to see Gary as I was having some lower back issues. He was very friendly and knowledgeable, explaining what the likely causes were… and he followed it up with some helpful exercises to prevent future issues, as well as practical advice.
Matt and Alice K. · 2024 · Google review
Sacroiliac pain★★★★★
After the first appointment with Gary I noticed a marked improvement, and it has continued to improve with subsequent treatments. Gary’s advice on precipitating factors has been really useful and the remedial exercises he suggested are also very effective.
Paul H. · 2017 · Google review
Back and neck★★★★★
Both my wife and I have been seeing Gary Edwards… initially for acute flares of back/neck problems and now for maintenance treatment. He is extremely professional and thorough… giving us a full half hour on each visit.
Haydn B. · 2018 · Google review
Chiropractic★★★★★
I recommend Jean Luc to everyone I meet. He adopts a holistic, whole person approach… and offers great advice for continuing the work at home. The clinic is beautiful and centrally located.
Lauren T. · 2025 · Google review
Chiropractic★★★★★
Professional, friendly and most importantly effective. What’s also nice is that I was never forced to rebook or given a ‘minimum number of sessions’ for results. It’s straightforward. Book again if it helps and you need additional support.
John C. · 2024 · Google review
Headaches★★★★★
I went for a consultation with Jean Luc who suggested my migraines could be caused by a problem with my neck. After several treatments to my neck, back and jaw, my headaches began to improve and become less frequent… Jean Luc is very knowledgeable and kind.
Many disc herniations shrink over time. In a review of scan studies, about two-thirds of people showed some regression of the herniated disc without surgery [1], and pain often improves even when the disc doesn’t change.
Does spinal decompression fix a disc?
We can’t promise that. One study found pain improved and disc volume reduced in some people [2], but the evidence is limited. We’ll be honest about what to expect.
Will I need surgery?
Most people don’t. Surgery may be considered if severe leg pain doesn’t settle, or if there’s nerve weakness or other warning signs.
Got another question?Ask us at your consultation. You don’t have to go ahead.
ClinicVale Health Clinic, 31–33 Vale Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1BS
References
Chiu CC, Chuang TY, Chang KH, Wu CH, Lin PW, Hsu WY. The probability of spontaneous regression of lumbar herniated disc: a systematic review. Clin Rehabil 2015;29(2):184–195. doi:10.1177/0269215514540919
Choi E, Gil HY, Ju J, Han WK, Nahm FS, Lee PB. Effect of nonsurgical spinal decompression on intensity of pain and herniated disc volume in subacute lumbar herniated disc. International Journal of Clinical Practice 2022;2022:6343837. doi:10.1155/2022/6343837
Written by Orit Edwards, Chiropractor (GCC 04042). Last updated 15 October 2026.
