What is a herniated or bulging disc?

The discs between your vertebrae act as cushions. When a disc bulges or its inner material pushes through (a herniation), it can press on nearby nerves — causing pain, numbness, or weakness. Disc injuries are common after car accidents and lifting or fall injuries, and can occur in the neck or lower back.

When the disc is in the lower back and the pressure lands on a nerve root, the resulting leg symptoms are called lumbar radiculopathy.

Symptoms

• Back or neck pain, sometimes sharp with movement
• Pain radiating into an arm or leg (such as sciatica)
• Numbness or tingling along the nerve’s path
• Muscle weakness

Seek emergency care for loss of bladder or bowel control or rapidly progressing weakness.

Pain radiating into an arm or leg (such as sciatica) — the pattern of a pinched nerve

Diagnosis & non-surgical treatment

An MRI confirms a disc injury and its location. Most herniated discs improve without surgery. A typical plan combines:

• Spinal decompression
• Physical therapy
• Chiropractic care
• Pain management

We coordinate surgical evaluation only when non-surgical care isn’t enough.

Long Island offices & service areas

We treat disc injuries across Nassau and Suffolk County from offices including Medford, Islandia, East Islip, Mineola, Bohemia, Smithtown and Stony Brook. Find your nearest office →

Not near one of our offices? We can help arrange transportation to your appointment, or coordinate your care with providers in our Long Island network — call (631) 560-8357 to ask.

Herniated disc FAQ

Can a herniated disc heal without surgery?

Often, yes. Many disc injuries improve with spinal decompression, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and pain management over several weeks to months.

Do I need an MRI?

An MRI is the best way to confirm a disc herniation and is ordered when your exam suggests one.

Is treatment covered?

Accident-related care is billed to No-Fault and work injuries to Workers’ Comp, so eligible visits are typically $0 out of pocket.

Does a disc actually slip out of place?

Not literally. The disc stays anchored between the vertebrae — what happens is that the softer inner material pushes against or through the tougher outer ring and can then press on a nearby nerve. That is why treatment focuses on taking pressure off the nerve and restoring how the spine moves, rather than on putting something back.

Can I exercise with a herniated disc?

Usually yes, and movement is generally part of the treatment rather than something to avoid. What matters is which movements — loaded bending and twisting often aggravate a disc injury, while specific directional and core-stability exercises tend to ease symptoms. A physical therapist matches the program to how your symptoms actually behave.