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Many people don’t think much about the discs in their spines until one slips out of place. Slipped or herniated disc symptoms are impossible to ignore.

Herniated discs cause burning and stinging back or neck pain. This pain often gets worse when you move in certain ways or sit for a long period.

Herniated disc symptoms are especially common in middle-aged men and happen from wear or tear. If you’re wondering, “Do I have a slipped disc?” read on to find out why slipped discs happen and what you can do about them.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc has many names. Doctors may also call it a slipped disc, ruptured disc, or bulging disc.

The discs in the spine sit between each vertebra to help cushion them. A jelly-like inner core and an outer cartilage ring make up each disc.

With a herniated disc, that outer ring ruptures, and the soft center bulges out. Sometimes, this causes only mild lower back pain — or no pain at all. But when the slipped disc presses on the nerves, it can cause severe pain, numbness, and weakness.

Many slipped discs get better on their own because the tissue dissolves over time. Other slipped discs require surgery.

Do I Have a Slipped Disc?

Most often, slipped discs happen in the lower part of the spine. This is the part of the spine that gets the most wear and tear from sitting, as well as lifting strain.

Herniated disc symptoms in the lower spine include:

• Low back pain.
• Pain in the hips or buttocks.
• Pain that gets worse when sitting, as well as lifting, coughing, or otherwise putting strain on the lower back.
• Sharp, burning, or tingling pain that shoots down the leg (sciatica).

In the upper (cervical) part of the spine, herniated disc symptoms include:

• Numbness or tingling in the shoulder, arm, or hand.
• Pain in the neck or between the shoulder blades.
• Pain that shoots down the arm to the hand.
• Weakness in shoulder or arm muscles.

If you think you might have a slipped disc, see your doctor. They can confirm the diagnosis. A doctor can also ensure you don’t have any of the other health problems that can cause lower back pain.

Why Do Slipped Discs Happen?

Slipped discs occur due to wear and tear in the disc over many years. As people age, their discs lose fluid and elasticity and become brittler. This makes it easier for the inner part of the disc to slip out of place.

Herniated disc symptoms are twice as common in men compared to women, according to the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. One possible reason for this is that men are more likely to lift heavy objects in the workplace or at home.

Sitting also puts pressure on the spine. Those who drive for work or sit for most of the day are, therefore, face a higher risk of a slipped disc.

In some cases, slipped discs can happen due to a single injury rather than wear and tear. Too much pressure on the vertebrae at one time can cause discs to slip out of place. This is usually the cause of a slipped disc in young people.

How Do Doctors Diagnose Herniated Discs?

In most cases, doctors diagnose slipped discs based on your symptoms and a physical exam. Your doctor will ask:

• What makes the pain worse.
• What type of pain you feel (dull and aching, or burning and tingling, for example).
• When the pain started.
• Where you feel pain.

They may also ask you to perform different movements to see how the nerves and muscles are working.

One common test for a slipped disc involves a person lying on their back while a health care provider lifts one straight leg. In the case of a herniated disc in the lumbar spine, this test will often cause pain below the knee.

What Treatments Relieve Herniated Disc Symptoms?

Usually, herniated disc symptoms go away with time. That’s because the disc tissue that’s pressing on the nerve eventually breaks down.

In the meantime, it’s important to support the spine by moving carefully and paying attention if symptoms become severe. (See the section titled “When to Seek Urgent Care for Herniated Disc Symptoms” below.)

As you recover, your doctor can recommend pain medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes to reduce the pain.

Pain medications include over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other prescription pain relievers. Doctors can also offer steroidal injections for severe slipped disc pain.

Physical therapy involves exercises to strengthen the back and stomach muscles. Strong muscles better support the spine and relieve pressure on the slipped disc.

Lifestyle changes can also relieve pressure on the slipped disc. These include resting when necessary, avoiding sitting and standing for long periods. They can also include practicing good posture and proper lifting techniques.

Your health care provider can teach you lifestyle changes that relieve the pressure of a slipped disc and prevent another one in the future. Back braces can also help to stabilize the spine and relieve pain.

The American Academy of Neurological Surgeons advises seeing your doctor if herniated disc symptoms don’t improve within six weeks. They can order an MRI test to understand why.

When Do Herniated Disc Symptoms Require Surgery?

Surgery may become necessary in rare cases of severe herniated discs or slipped disc symptoms that don’t improve over time.

The surgeon will take out the herniated disc while the person is under general anesthesia. The surgeon will then either replace the disc with an artificial disc or fuse the two vertebrae. The type of surgery depends on the slipped disc’s location in the spine and a person’s overall health.

When to Seek Urgent Care for Herniated Disc Symptoms

In rare cases, herniated discs not only cause pain but damage nerves and impair daily function. These serious situations often require urgent surgery.

If you have any of the following symptoms, seek care right away:

• Difficulty walking.
• Increasing pain or weakness.
• Loss of bladder or bowel control.
• Loss of feeling in the feet or legs.
• Weight loss.