Disc Herniations Explained — Causes, Symptoms, and How Calgary Physiotherapy CanHelp
- Colin Bouma, PT, FCAMPT
- Nov 9
- 3 min read
Herniated discs are one of the most common causes of neck and low back pain. If you've been
told you have a "bulging disc" or "slipped disc," it can sound scary—but with the right care, most people recover without surgery. Please note that your discs cannot “slip” as our backs are fairly resilient with 7 ligaments front to back providing support.
At our Calgary physiotherapy clinic on MacLeod Trail, we help people every day return to
work, sports, and daily life after disc injuries. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
Between each vertebra in your spine sits a disc—a cushion that absorbs shock and allows
movement. A disc herniationhappens when the inner gel (nucleus pulposus) pushes through the
outer layer (annulus fibrosus), irritating nearby nerves (Frymoyer, 1992).
You might hear other terms like:
Disc bulge (less severe, outer layer still intact)
Protrusion (nucleus presses outward but remains contained)
Extrusion or sequestration (gel escapes the disc)
Causes of Disc Herniations
Herniations typically result from a combination of wear and tear, genetics, and movement
habits:
1. Repetitive Bending or Twisting
Frequent flexion under load can stress discs—especially in poor posture (Adams & Hutton,
1985).
2. Prolonged Sitting & Sedentary Lifestyle
This increases disc pressure and weakens spinal stabilizers.
3. Lack of Core Stability
When your core muscles don’t support the spine, the discs take the hit (Hodges & Richardson,
1996).
4. Age-Related Degeneration
Discs dry out with age, becoming less resilient and more prone to injury.
Symptoms of a Herniated Disc
Disc herniation symptoms vary based on severity and location (lumbar vs. cervical):
Lumbar (Lower Back) Symptoms:
Pain radiating down one leg (sciatica)
Numbness or tingling
Muscle weakness
Worse with sitting, bending, or coughing
Cervical (Neck) Symptoms:
Pain into the shoulder, arm, or hand
Numbness or tingling in fingers
Reduced neck motion
In severe cases, you might experience loss of bladder/bowel control (seek emergency care
immediately).
Do You Need Surgery?
Most people don’t need surgery. According to research, 80–90% of disc herniations resolve with
conservative care—including physiotherapy (Peul et al., 2007).
How Our Calgary Physiotherapy Team Treats Disc Herniations
1. Detailed Assessment
We assess posture, mobility, neurological signs, and movement patterns to determine the
cause—not just treat the symptoms.
2. Pain Management Techniques
Mechanical traction (when appropriate)
Positioning strategies (e.g. McKenzie method)
Activity modification to reduce irritation (Long et al., 2004)
3. Spinal Stabilization Training
Targeting:
Deep core muscles (transversus abdominis, multifidus)
Glutes and lower limb control
Neck stabilizers (for cervical cases)
4. Manual Therapy
Soft tissue release and gentle joint mobilizations improve mobility and reduce guarding.
5. Education & Recovery Planning
We teach you what movements to avoid temporarily—and how to build long-term resilience.
Recovery Timeline
With consistent treatment and self-care, most people improve within 6–12 weeks. Some may feel
better sooner. The goal is to build capacity and reduce recurrence.
Why Choose Our Calgary Clinic?
Located at 8989 MacLeod Trail SW, our clinic offers evidence-based rehab for patients with
disc injuries across Haysboro, Acadia, Kingsland, and South Calgary.
We also work closely with local doctors, surgeons, and pain specialists to ensure integrated care.
Start Your Recovery Today
If you’ve been diagnosed with a disc herniation—or suspect you might have one—book an
assessment with our experienced Calgary physiotherapists.
Let’s get you moving again—stronger, safer, and pain-free.
Bibliography
Adams, M. A., & Hutton, W. C. (1985). The effect of posture on the lumbar spine.
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. British Volume, 67-B(4), 625–629.
Frymoyer, J. W. (1992). Back pain and sciatica. New England Journal of Medicine,
327(9), 651–660. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199208273270907
Hodges, P. W., & Richardson, C. A. (1996). Inefficient muscular stabilization of the
lumbar spine associated with low back pain: A motor control evaluation of transversus
abdominis. Spine, 21(22), 2640–2650. https://doi.org/10.1097/00007632-199611150-
00014
Long, A., Donelson, R., & Fung, T. (2004). Does it matter which exercise? A randomized
control trial of exercise for low back pain. Spine, 29(23), 2593–2602.
Peul, W. C., van Houwelingen, H. C., van den Hout, W. B., Brand, R., Eekhof, J. A. H.,
Tans, J. T. J., Thomeer, R. T. W. M., & Koes, B. W. (2007). Surgery versus prolonged
conservative treatment for sciatica. New England Journal of Medicine, 356(22),
2245–2256. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa064039
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