The Spine, Knee and Shoulder Specialists

A slip disc (also known as disc prolapse or herniated disc) occurs when the soft inner portion of a spinal disc pushes outward and irritates nearby nerves. This can cause severe back or neck pain, leg or arm pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness.
In most cases, physiotherapy for slip disc is the first and most effective non-surgical treatment. It focuses on pain relief, nerve protection, and gradual restoration of spinal function—without stressing the injured disc.
Patients with a slip disc often experience:
Ignoring symptoms or resting excessively may worsen stiffness and delay recovery. Slip disc physiotherapy treatment promotes safe movement instead of immobilization.
Physiotherapy is designed to:
Treatment is always individualized based on disc level, severity, and nerve involvement.
Step 1: Functional & Neurological Evaluation
The physiotherapist assesses:
This determines which movements are safe and which must be avoided initially.
Step 2: Acute Pain Control & Disc Protection
During early recovery, treatment may include:
The goal is to reduce pain while protecting the disc from further stress.
Step 3: Controlled Mobility & Manual Therapy
Once pain decreases:
All movements are progressed gradually.
Step 4: Core & Spinal Stabilization Training
Weak core muscles increase disc stress. Physiotherapy focuses on:
This stage is critical for long-term recovery.
Step 5: Posture, Ergonomics & Activity Modification
Patients are trained in:
This prevents reinjury and chronic pain.
Exercise choice depends on symptoms and disc location. Below are commonly prescribed physiotherapy exercises for slip disc, always supervised by a professional.






Important: Certain exercises can worsen a slip disc if done incorrectly. Always follow physiotherapist guidance.
Physiotherapy is highly effective when:
Early intervention significantly improves outcomes.
While recovery varies, most patients experience:
Consistency with physiotherapy and home exercises is essential.
This makes physiotherapy for slip disc the preferred first-line treatment globally.
Seek urgent care if you experience:
These may require medical or surgical intervention.
A slip disc does not automatically mean surgery. With a structured slip disc physiotherapy treatment plan, guided exercises, and posture correction, most patients recover safely and return to daily activities.
If you are dealing with persistent back or nerve pain, early physiotherapy for slip disc can help you heal naturally and avoid long-term complications.