Slipped disc: symptoms, recovery and when it needs urgent help
What a slipped disc is, why it causes back and leg pain, how most people recover, what the NHS advises, and the emergency signs to know.
A slipped disc, also called a herniated or prolapsed disc, is when part of one of the cushioning discs between the bones of the spine bulges out and may press on a nearby nerve. The name is misleading, as discs do not actually slip out of place. Many people with a disc bulge have no symptoms, and most of those who do get better over time.
When to get urgent help
Call 999 or go to A&E straight away if you have back pain together with any of these. They can be signs of a rare but serious condition such as cauda equina syndrome. Do not drive yourself.
- Numbness or tingling around your genitals, buttocks or inner thighs (the saddle area)
- Difficulty passing urine, loss of bladder or bowel control, or being unable to feel when you are passing urine or stool
- Pain, tingling, weakness or numbness in both legs, or sciatica on both sides, or weakness in a leg that is getting worse
- New changes to sexual sensation or function alongside back or leg pain
- Chest pain, or back pain that started after a serious accident such as a car crash
What it can feel like
- Back pain, sometimes with pain, tingling or numbness spreading into the buttock, leg or foot (sciatica)
- Pain that is worse when you cough, sneeze or bend forwards
- Leg weakness or a feeling of pins and needles on one side
- Symptoms that can start suddenly, for example after lifting, or build up gradually
Common contributors
- Age-related changes in the discs
- Lifting, twisting or an unaccustomed activity, though sometimes there is no clear trigger
- Being overweight or doing a lot of heavy physical work
- Scans often show disc bulges in people with no pain at all, so a bulge on a scan is not always the cause of pain
General self-care
These are general comfort measures many people find reasonable. They are not a treatment plan, and what suits one person may not suit another.
- Keep active with gentle exercise such as walking, swimming or yoga, as long as it does not cause or worsen pain
- Rest only if the pain is very bad, and start moving gently again as soon as you can
- Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen, taken within the recommended amount, may help. Ask a pharmacist if unsure they are suitable for you
- Change position regularly and avoid long spells of sitting
- The NHS says a slipped disc usually gets better slowly with rest, gentle exercise and painkillers
When to see your GP
See your GP promptly, or call NHS 111, if you have any of the following:
- Feeling hot, cold, shivery or generally unwell, or severe pain that starts suddenly or quickly gets worse
- Unexplained weight loss, or a lump, swelling or change in the shape of your back
- Pain that is worse at night or does not ease with rest, or is worse when you cough, sneeze or open your bowels
- A history of cancer and new, persistent back pain
Consider seeing your GP if:
- Painkillers are not helping, or the pain has not improved after a few weeks
- The pain is worse at night, or you have unexplained weight loss, a very high temperature, or a swollen back
- Muscle weakness or numbness is getting worse, as you may need referral to a specialist
Where an osteopath fits in
There is limited good-quality research showing that hands-on treatment changes the course of a slipped disc, so I do not claim that osteopathy treats it.
NICE guidance for low back pain says manual therapy (spinal manipulation, mobilisation or soft-tissue techniques) can be considered, but only as part of a treatment package that includes exercise. A 2026 Cochrane review found that spinal manipulation may give a small improvement in chronic low back pain compared with sham treatment and similar results to other conservative treatments, but the certainty of that evidence is low to very low.
What an osteopath can usefully do is carry out a thorough assessment to see which tissues and nerves are involved and whether you need further medical checks first, advise on movement, positions and activity, and use gentle hands-on techniques where appropriate as part of a package including exercise. If the assessment suggests you need your GP, a physiotherapist or a specialist instead, I will tell you.
If you would like your symptoms assessed, you are welcome to book an appointment. Osteopathic care is not right for everyone, and if something needs medical attention first, I will tell you.
Common questions
Does a slipped disc need surgery?
The NHS says surgery is usually not needed. A GP may refer you to a specialist if symptoms have not improved with other treatments, or if muscle weakness or numbness is getting worse.
How long does a slipped disc take to heal?
The NHS says a slipped disc usually gets better slowly with rest, gentle exercise and painkillers, and to see a GP if the pain has not improved after a few weeks.
Sources and further reading
Links open in a new tab. Sources were checked in October 2026.
Related guides
This page is general information to help you understand common aches and pains. It is not medical advice and cannot diagnose your problem. If you are worried about your symptoms, please speak to your GP or call NHS 111.