A slip disc (herniated disc) pressing on a nerve can cause sciatica – pain, tingling or weakness that travels from the lower back into the leg. The good news is that most cases improve with physiotherapy and do not require surgery.
What is a slip disc, and how does it cause sciatica?
The discs between your spinal bones act as cushions. When part of a disc bulges or herniates, it can irritate a nearby nerve. When that nerve is the sciatic nerve, the result is sciatica – symptoms that can run down the buttock and leg, sometimes with numbness or weakness.
Can physiotherapy help a slip disc without surgery?
In the large majority of cases, yes. Research and clinical guidelines support physiotherapy and exercise as first-line treatment for most disc-related back and leg pain. A physiotherapist uses specific movements to reduce nerve irritation, hands-on techniques to ease pain, and graded exercise to rebuild strength – while keeping you as active as is safe, which itself aids recovery.
When surgery may be considered
Surgery is usually reserved for a minority of cases – for example, severe or progressive weakness, or symptoms that do not settle with conservative care. Certain warning signs, such as loss of bladder or bowel control or numbness around the groin, need urgent medical attention. A good physiotherapist recognises these and coordinates promptly with specialists.
For the full treatment approach, see our back pain physiotherapy page.
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This article is general information and not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Always follow the guidance of your treating doctor and physiotherapist.