How effective is physiotherapy for herniated disc?

A herniated disc can irritate a nearby nerve and cause back pain, leg pain, tingling or weakness. Assessment looks at your symptoms, strength, sensation, walking pattern and which positions change the pain. Treatment may include advice on staying active, comfortable movement, trunk and hip strengthening, and a gradual return to lifting or work. The programme is individual because a movement that helps one person may aggravate another.

Improvement is often measured by walking farther, sitting more comfortably, sleeping better or completing household tasks with fewer breaks. Physiotherapy does not make urgent nerve symptoms safe to ignore, and it should be adapted if pain, numbness or weakness changes.

Keep your therapist informed about pain travelling down the leg, altered sensation or changes in strength. Follow the advised exercises and vary positions rather than staying in bed for long periods unless a clinician has told you otherwise. Learn safe lifting mechanics and build activity in manageable stages. Read about [Herniated Disc](/conditions/herniated-disc/) and [Physiotherapy](/treatments/physiotherapy-and-rehabilitation/physiotherapy/) to prepare for discussion.

Seek urgent medical care for new difficulty passing urine, loss of bowel control, numbness around the genitals or inner thighs, or rapidly worsening weakness in a leg. Prompt assessment is also needed for severe pain after major injury, fever with back pain, or unexplained illness with new spinal symptoms. Contact your clinician if leg pain or weakness is worsening rather than settling during rehabilitation.

Which movements are suitable for my current symptoms? How should I modify sitting, sleep and lifting? What changes in strength or sensation require urgent review? When is it reasonable to increase walking, work or exercise?