Get it checked at Bodyline Health, Lower Plenty
We see patients from across the Diamond Valley, including Eltham, Greensborough, Montmorency, Rosanna and Heidelberg. No referral needed, free parking, onsite X-ray when clinically indicated and HICAPS claiming on the spot.
Written by Dr Phillip Mifsud, Chiropractor & Exercise Physiologist and founder of Bodyline Health, Lower Plenty. Based on Dr Phil’s own video and clinical experience.
Watch the video
Lumbar Disc Injury
Dr Phil explains this in under two minutes.
Bulging, herniated, slipped: what is the difference?
They are different names for a similar problem. Between each vertebra sits a disc that acts as a shock absorber. When a disc is damaged, part of it can bulge outwards and press on or irritate a nerve, sending symptoms down the leg. That leg pain is often what people call sciatica.
How is disc pain different from ordinary back pain?
- Nerve pain into the buttock, thigh or below the knee is often stronger than the back pain itself
- It commonly keeps you awake at night
- Coughing, sneezing or sitting for long periods may make it worse
- There may be pins and needles or numbness in the leg
Dr Phil has had a disc injury himself, so he knows first-hand how painful and frightening it can be.
If my MRI shows a bulging disc, is that the cause?
Not necessarily. Disc bulges are very common on MRI scans, including in people who have no back pain at all, and they become more common with age. In Dr Phil’s experience, a big part of the pain is inflammation around the nerve, which chokes the nerve and increases the pressure on it. The better you can calm that inflammation, the quicker you tend to recover.
What should I do if I have a disc injury?
Keep moving: discomfort, not pain
It can feel scary, but the more you can keep gentle movement in your back, the faster you tend to progress. The rule Dr Phil gives every patient: work to discomfort, not pain.
- Gentle stretching to help the back relax and ease the muscle spasm, which causes much of the pain
- Small rotations, left and right
- A little gentle forward bending (flexion) as tolerated
- Ice on the lower back to help settle inflammation
Get a proper diagnosis
Make sure nothing else is going on. At Bodyline Health we assess your nerves, strength and reflexes, and can arrange imaging or refer you on if needed.
Stay positive
Most disc injuries improve without surgery. Keeping it moving and staying positive genuinely makes a difference.
Who at Bodyline Health can help with a herniated disc?
Because Bodyline Health has several disciplines under one roof at 17 Main Road, Lower Plenty, your care can be shared between practitioners who talk to each other.
- Dr Phillip Mifsud (Chiropractor): diagnosis, gentle treatment and a graded movement plan.
- Mary Fleming (Physiotherapist): progressive rehabilitation and strengthening once pain settles.
- Keryn Arrowsmith (Myotherapist): easing the protective muscle spasm around the lower back and hips.
- Wayne Grant (Naturopath): diet and lifestyle factors that can influence inflammation and recovery.
When to seek urgent medical help
Call 000 or go to an emergency department if you develop numbness around the groin, buttocks or inner thighs, difficulty passing urine or controlling your bladder or bowel, or rapidly worsening weakness in one or both legs. These can signal cauda equina syndrome, which needs urgent surgery.
Further reading on herniated disc: Spinal disc problems (Healthdirect Australia).
Common questions
What is the difference between a bulging disc and a herniated disc?
They describe similar problems: part of the disc between two vertebrae pushing outwards. A herniation is usually a larger bulge where the inner material has pushed through. Both can irritate a nerve and cause leg pain.
Should I rest in bed with a bulging disc?
No. Gentle movement, to discomfort but not pain, generally helps you recover faster than bed rest.
Why does a disc injury hurt more at night?
Inflammation around the irritated nerve often builds up when you are still, and certain positions increase pressure on the nerve.
Will I need surgery for a bulging disc?
Most disc injuries improve with conservative care. Surgery is usually reserved for severe or progressive nerve problems, or when symptoms do not settle.
Can a chiropractor help a bulging disc?
Yes. Care focuses on diagnosis, calming the muscle spasm, gentle movement and a graded plan, with referral for imaging or specialist review if needed.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for individual medical advice. If you are unsure, see your GP or book an assessment.
