Disc Bulge in the Lower Back: Good News Your Doctor May Not Have Told You
"Slipped disc." Those two words make many people fear they'll never lift, run or play with their children again. But here's what the research says: most lower back disc bulges get better, and the body can even reabsorb part of the disc on its own.
What is a lumbar disc bulge?
The discs in your lower back act as shock absorbers between the bones of your spine. When part of a disc pushes outward, it can press on or irritate a nearby nerve. About 95% of lower back disc problems happen at the L4–L5 and L5–S1 levels, the base of your spine.
Risk factors include repeated bending and twisting, sitting for long hours, being overweight, smoking and natural ageing of the discs.
Common signs include:
- Lower back pain
- Burning or shooting pain down one leg (sciatica)
- Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot
- Pain that worsens with sitting, bending or coughing
- Weakness in the leg or foot
The good news
About two out of three disc herniations shrink or are reabsorbed by the body within six months of conservative care. Larger herniations are actually more likely to reabsorb. Many people with disc bulges on MRI have no pain at all.
How physiotherapy helps
Physiotherapy is a first-line treatment for disc problems. Research supports active exercise, especially core control and stabilisation training. At Katasi Physiotherapy, your plan may include:
- Core and back stabilisation exercises
- Gentle hands-on therapy for pain relief
- Nerve-calming exercises for leg pain
- Gradual return to lifting, gym and sport
- Sitting, sleeping and lifting advice
When to go to hospital immediately
Go to the emergency department if you have numbness around the groin or buttocks, loss of bladder or bowel control, or weakness in both legs. This can be cauda equina syndrome, a medical emergency.
Book your assessment
Surgery isn't your only option. Book at Katasi Physiotherapy, Mogotio Road off Muthithi Road, Westlands. Call or WhatsApp 0705 717 353.
Sources: Physiopedia – Disc Herniation, Physiopedia – Lumbar Disc Reabsorption
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