Lower back disc bulge - do you know the signs?

By Physiofusion Ltd

03 Oct 2019

Firstly, to understand what a disc is: it is a fibrocartilage structure which sits in between each of your spinal bones (vertebrae), the thickness of the disc is about one third of the vertebrae and they serve as shock absorbers and allow greater flexibility of the spine. A disc has two main components, a tougher outer layer (annulus fibrosus) and a softer inner portion (nucleus pulposus), in a damaged disc the outer layer may begin to bulge outwards and weaken, in some cases the outer layer can split leading to the inner portion leaking out, which is called a disc herniation. As well as having discs and vertebrae, your spine also contains a spinal cord and spinal nerves which branch off from the spinal cord. When a disc bulges, it has the potential to bulge into and compress the spinal cord or nerves, this is typically the cause of the majority of pain and symptoms from a bulging disc.

The pain and symptoms from a disc bulging into a nerve are commonly referred to as sciatica, however, you may also hear them referred to as a radiculopathy. Whilst the majority of us will experience some lower back pain at some point in our life, figures indicate that approximately only 5% of men and 2.5% of women will experience radiculopathy. A radiculopathy caused by a bulging disc will differ from mechanical back pain in that you may experience symptoms of pain in your buttock, groin, thigh, calf and foot which could be described as burning, stabbing or like an electric shock, you may also experience a pattern of numbness, tingling as well as weakness. These symptoms are typically aggravated by bending forward at your lower back.

Disc herniation’s are most common between the ages of 30-50 and are twice as likely to affect men. Risk factors are believed to be increased manual strain and torsion through the back (such as repeated lifting and twisting through the back), increased BMI and genetic predisposition, whilst smoking has also been indicated in increased disc degeneration. Trauma can also cause injuries to discs and they will also lose some integrity as you become older.

It is important to remember that disc injuries do typically improve and not everyone experiences painful or lasting symptoms from bulging discs, however, if you have the symptoms of a disc injury it is important to have these professionally assessed and treated. The symptoms of a radiculopathy are not always caused by a bulging disc; therefore, your Physiotherapist will be able to assess you to provide a probable diagnosis on what is causing your pain, developing a treatment plan on the most appropriate way to attempt to reduce and resolve your symptoms. You do not need to have an existing diagnosis or scan to attend to a Physiotherapy assessment and your therapist will inform you if they feel it would be important for you to have any further investigations or referrals.

Physiotherapist’s have many tools at their disposal to help in the treatment of a herniated disc, and these are typically geared towards pain reduction, improving healing, building strength, fitness and return to normal function. Depending on your symptoms your treatment may involve manual therapy of your spine, massage, electrotherapy, acupuncture, a specific progressive exercise program and practical advice on your condition.

In rare cases a disc bulge can be a medical emergency, so if you experience a numbness in your genital region, urinary retention, bowel incontinence, sexual dysfunction or loss of power in the leg then you would require immediate urgent medical attention and investigation. However, the vast majority of lower back radiculopathy cases can be assessed and treated safely and appropriately by your Physiotherapist.

If you have any questions at all regarding your back, please get in touch and would be more than happy to help. Use our FREE online ‘Ask A Physio’ service to get in touch with the experts.

Ask us a question!

Latest news

1

University of Central Lancashire celebrates hat-trick of wins at Educate North Awards University of Central Lancashire winners at Educate North Award Winners 2025

University of Central Lancashire celebrates hat-trick of wins at Educate North Awards

04 Apr 2025

2

The Villa’s sister venue shuts its doors The Villa Levens and The VillaWrea Green (Image credit: The Villa Levens and The Villa Wrea Green)

The Villa’s sister venue shuts its doors

04 Apr 2025

3

PM urged not to retaliate over tariffs Manufacturing

PM urged not to retaliate over tariffs

03 Apr 2025

4

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer Matthew Ratcliffe CMAC

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer

03 Apr 2025

5

For sale signs at The Villa Villa Wrea Green has been brought to market (Image credit: The Villa Wrea Green)

For sale signs at The Villa

02 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

Celebrating 50 years of KTP
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Celebrating 50 years of KTP

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

16:00 - 18:00

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase
13421_research_knowledge_exchange_2025_600x300.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
07 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Business Support Showcase: Collaborate, Innovate, Grow
Student Centre Autumn 2022.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
08 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Business Support Showcase: Collaborate, Innovate, Grow

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

11:00 - 13:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin