You may also hear terms such as herniated disc, ruptured disc, disc bulge, pinched nerve, or sciatica.

They are related, but they do not all describe exactly the same thing.

Understanding the basics can make a diagnosis much less confusing and help you better understand your treatment options.

What Does a Spinal Disc Do?

Your spine is made of stacked bones called vertebrae. Between many of those bones are flexible discs that act as cushions and help the spine absorb force while you move.

Each spinal disc has two main parts:

• A softer, gel-like center called the nucleus
• A tougher outer layer called the annulus

You can think of the disc as a shock-absorbing cushion between two vertebrae. These discs help your spine bend, twist, and handle the forces created by everyday movement.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc occurs when some of the softer material inside a spinal disc pushes through a tear or weakened area in the outer portion of the disc.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a herniated disc can irritate or compress a nearby nerve, potentially causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness.

A herniated disc can occur anywhere along the spine, although it is especially common in the lower back. Herniated discs can also occur in the neck.

Does a Disc Actually “Slip”?

“Slipped disc” is a common everyday term for a herniated disc, but the disc itself generally does not slide out of position.

Instead, material from inside the disc pushes outward through or into the tougher outer layer.

Other terms you may hear include:

• Herniated disc
• Ruptured disc
• Protruding disc
• Disc extrusion
• Bulging disc

Imaging reports can sound highly technical, so your symptoms and physical examination remain important when determining whether a disc finding is actually contributing to your pain.

Herniated Disc vs. Bulging Disc

A bulging disc and a herniated disc describe different patterns of disc displacement.

Bulging Disc

With a bulging disc, a broader portion of the outer disc extends outward beyond its usual boundary.

Herniated Disc

With a herniated disc, material from the softer center pushes farther into or through a weakened area in the outer layer.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons explains that disc problems may be described using terms such as bulging, protruding, or herniated depending on the pattern and extent of disc displacement.

It is also important to know that imaging findings do not always match the severity of a person’s symptoms. Some people have a herniated disc without experiencing pain at all.

What Does a Herniated Disc Feel Like?

Symptoms depend on where the affected disc is located and whether it is irritating or compressing a nearby nerve.

Herniated Disc in the Lower Back

Possible symptoms may include:

• Low-back pain
• Buttock pain
• Pain traveling down one leg
• Tingling or numbness
• Leg weakness
• Sciatica-like symptoms

Pain caused by nerve irritation may sometimes feel sharp, burning, electric, or radiating rather than remaining confined to the lower back.

Herniated Disc in the Neck

A cervical herniated disc may cause:

• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Pain traveling into an arm
• Tingling in the hand or fingers
• Numbness
• Arm or hand weakness

What Causes a Herniated Disc?

Disc changes often develop gradually rather than happening during one dramatic event.

As spinal discs age, they can lose some of their flexibility and become more vulnerable to tearing or degeneration.

Other possible contributors include:

• Heavy lifting
• Repeated bending
• Twisting while lifting
• Physically demanding work
• Previous spine injuries
• Falls or trauma
• Repetitive stress on the spine

The Mayo Clinic notes that many people cannot identify one specific event that caused their herniated disc.

Does a Herniated Disc Always Require Surgery?

Most people with a herniated disc do not automatically require surgery.

Symptoms may improve with conservative treatment and time. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons notes that nonsurgical treatment is generally the initial approach for most lumbar herniated discs.

Depending on your symptoms and examination findings, conservative treatment may involve:

• Activity modification
• Physical therapy
• Therapeutic exercise
• Medication recommended by a physician
• Chiropractic care when clinically appropriate
• Spinal decompression when appropriate for the individual patient

At Everett Spine & Rehab, treatment can be coordinated across chiropractic care, physical therapy, and spinal decompression based on the patient’s symptoms, examination findings, and overall health history.

How Physical Therapy Can Help With Disc-Related Pain

Physical therapy may be helpful when a disc problem has affected your strength, mobility, posture, or ability to perform normal activities.

A physical therapy program may focus on:

• Improving spinal and hip mobility
• Strengthening muscles that support the spine
• Improving movement mechanics
• Gradually returning to work or exercise
• Reducing movements that repeatedly aggravate symptoms

The goal is to improve function while helping you move more comfortably and confidently.

When Are Herniated Disc Symptoms More Concerning?

Some symptoms require prompt medical attention.

Seek medical evaluation if back or neck pain is accompanied by significant weakness, progressive numbness, or increasing difficulty walking.

Loss of bowel or bladder control, numbness around the groin or inner thighs, or rapidly worsening neurological symptoms require urgent medical attention.

Frequently Asked Questions About Herniated Discs

Can a herniated disc heal?

Symptoms from many herniated discs improve over several weeks or months. The body may gradually reduce or reabsorb some of the herniated disc material over time. Recovery depends on the location of the disc, severity of symptoms, nerve involvement, activity level, and other individual factors.

Can a herniated disc cause sciatica?

Yes. A herniated disc in the lower back can irritate nerve roots that contribute to the sciatic nerve. This may cause pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness that travels from the lower back or buttock into the leg.

Learn more about sciatica from the Mayo Clinic.

Do I need an MRI to know if I have a herniated disc?

An MRI can provide detailed images of spinal discs, nerves, and other soft tissues, but imaging is not always required immediately. Your healthcare provider can determine whether imaging is appropriate based on your symptoms, physical examination, injury history, and response to conservative care.

Herniated Disc Treatment in Everett, WA

If back pain, neck pain, sciatica, tingling, numbness, or radiating pain is interfering with everyday life, the first step is understanding what may be causing your symptoms.

Everett Spine & Rehab provides chiropractic care, physical therapy, spinal decompression, and injury rehabilitation in Everett, WA for patients dealing with disc-related pain and mobility problems.

We also serve patients throughout Snohomish County, including Mill Creek, Lynnwood, Mukilteo, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Snohomish, Edmonds, Bothell, Monroe, and Mountlake Terrace.

Call Everett Spine & Rehab at (425) 347-8614 to schedule an evaluation and learn which treatment options may be appropriate for you.

Sources

• Mayo Clinic: Herniated Disk, Symptoms and Causes
• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Herniated Disk in the Lower Back
• Mayo Clinic: Sciatica, Symptoms and Causes

Both chiropractic care and physical therapy address musculoskeletal problems, but the emphasis of treatment can differ. Your symptoms, examination findings, mobility, strength, and ability to perform daily activities all help determine which services may be appropriate.

For patients looking for car accident rehabilitation in Everett, WA, understanding those differences can make the treatment process clearer.

Why Auto Accident Injuries Can Require Rehabilitation

During a collision, the body can be exposed to sudden acceleration, deceleration, and changes in direction. These forces can affect the neck, back, shoulders, and surrounding tissues.

Whiplash is a familiar example. Mayo Clinic describes whiplash as a neck injury caused by forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck. Common symptoms include neck pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, headaches, shoulder or upper-back tenderness, fatigue, and dizziness.

Other patients may develop low-back pain, muscle soreness, restricted joint movement, weakness, or difficulty tolerating activities they performed comfortably before the accident. Those differences are why an individual evaluation matters.

How Chiropractic Care May Help After a Car Accident

Chiropractic care focuses on the musculoskeletal system, with particular attention to the spine, joints, movement, and related pain.

At Everett Spine & Rehab, chiropractic evaluations consider the spine, joints, posture, movement patterns, injury history, and symptoms before an individualized treatment plan is developed.

Chiropractic care may be considered when you are experiencing limited neck or back mobility, joint stiffness, musculoskeletal pain, or difficulty moving comfortably.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reports that evidence suggests spinal manipulation can be helpful for some types of neck pain. NCCIH also stresses that providers should assess patients carefully because individual medical conditions can affect whether manipulation is appropriate. That evaluation becomes particularly important following trauma.

How Physical Therapy Supports Recovery

Physical therapy places a strong emphasis on restoring movement and function. After a collision, your physical therapist may evaluate range of motion, strength, flexibility, stability, movement patterns, and the specific tasks you are struggling to perform.

Treatment can include therapeutic exercise, mobility work, strengthening, manual therapy, and a home exercise program.

At Everett Spine & Rehab, physical therapy is available for patients recovering from car accident injuries and can be coordinated with chiropractic care when appropriate.

This can become especially useful when pain has caused you to move less or compensate for an injured area. Restoring strength and comfortable movement helps prepare your body for activities such as driving, working, lifting, walking, or returning to exercise.

Can Chiropractic and Physical Therapy Work Together?

A combined rehabilitation approach can make sense when an injury involves several different limitations.

Research into neck pain rehabilitation has examined combinations of manual therapy and exercise. A 2023 systematic review published in the Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy found that multimodal approaches incorporating manual therapy and exercise can improve pain and disability compared with some control or exercise-only approaches, although the authors noted that the certainty of evidence varied across comparisons.

A more recent Cochrane review also found potential functional benefits from combining manual therapy and exercise for neck pain while emphasizing limitations in the available evidence, particularly for acute and subacute conditions. Your own treatment should still be based on your examination rather than a predetermined combination of services.

What Determines Which Treatment You Need?

Your healthcare provider will consider what is preventing you from functioning normally.

Someone with significant joint stiffness and reduced neck movement may have different treatment priorities than someone whose primary limitation is weakness and reduced endurance.

Your plan may also evolve. Early treatment may focus heavily on restoring comfortable movement, while later rehabilitation may emphasize strength, stability, and a gradual return to normal activity. Progress should be reassessed so treatment continues to match your current condition.

What If Symptoms Appeared After the Accident?

Delayed symptoms can occur with whiplash. Mayo Clinic notes that symptoms often develop within days after the injury.

If you begin experiencing neck pain, headaches, shoulder discomfort, stiffness, numbness, tingling, or other changes after a crash, mention when those symptoms started during your evaluation. Severe pain, substantial weakness or numbness, loss of consciousness, confusion, or other serious symptoms require prompt medical attention.

FAQs About Chiropractic and PT After an Accident

Should I see a chiropractor or physical therapist first?

The best starting point depends on your injury and symptoms. An evaluation can determine whether chiropractic care, physical therapy, additional medical assessment, or a coordinated approach is appropriate.

How long does car accident rehabilitation take?

Recovery time varies considerably based on the type and severity of the injury, previous health conditions, activity demands, and response to treatment. Your progress should be reassessed during care.

Can I receive chiropractic and physical therapy at the same clinic?

Yes. Everett Spine & Rehab provides both chiropractic care and physical therapy at its Everett location, allowing treatment to be coordinated when both are part of the rehabilitation plan.

Auto Accident Rehabilitation in Everett, WA

The right rehabilitation plan after a collision begins with understanding your injury.

Everett Spine & Rehab provides chiropractic care and physical therapy for car accident injuries in Everett, helping patients from Everett and surrounding Snohomish County communities work toward improved mobility and function.

Sources

1. Mayo Clinic – Whiplash: Symptoms and causes

2. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health – Spinal Manipulation: What You Need To Know

3. PubMed – Manual therapy and exercise for neck pain: systematic review and meta-analysis

4. PubMed – Manual therapy with exercise for neck pain

5. Everett Spine & Rehab – Chiropractic Care

6. Everett Spine & Rehab – Physical Therapy

Before you start planning a family trip to beach or a gathering at the park, it’s still important to adhere to social distancing guidelines when going outside. Further, protect yourself and your loved ones by doing the following if you want to partake in outdoor activities:

• Social distancing: you know the drill–stay at least 6 feet apart from others. Yes, this includes when you’re at the lake, beach, park, etc.
• Wash hands often: 20 seconds with soap and water. If you cannot, use hand sanitizer.
• Wear cloth face coverings: facial coverings may help you prevent others from getting sick. Those under 2 years of age or those who have trouble breathing should not wear cloth face coverings. More on how to correct wear one.
• Avoid group-sports: especially with people from outside your home. Stick to things like biking, running, golfing as they can be done from a distance.
• Wear sunscreen: even it looks cloudy, UV rays still come through. Make sure to wear sunscreen to protect from skin cancer.
• Avoid high-touch and shared surfaces: that means playground equipment, tables, benches etc.
• Avoid sharing food and drink: if you are going to be gathering with another family, you should not share food, drink, dishes or utensils with them. Bring your own food and drink.

And remember: Gov. Jay Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order requires Washingtonians to stay home as much as possible except for allowable activities. Read about Everett Spine & Rehab’s COVID response.

The COVID-19 is specific type of coronavirus–you’ve probably heard of Severe Acute Respirator Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)–two other coronaviruses. These viruses may cause respiratory and gastrointestinal illness in animals and humans. COVID-19 is called a novel coronavirus because it has not been previously identified.

It is spread through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets could land on a person’s face and get inhaled into the lungs. It doesn’t necessarily have to be spread directly from a person to another person. It’s also possible you can come into contact with a surface or object that has the infected person’s respiratory droplets on them. More on how the virus spreads, here.

Common symptoms of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus include fever, tiredness, dry cough though some infected people may also experience nasal congestion, aches and pains, sore throat, runny nose or diarrhea. One of the dangerous aspects of the disease is that people who are infected may not experience symptoms early on then not taking necessary precautions — thus potentially spreading it to others.

How can you prevent spread and infection? The CDC has published guidance here . To summarize, they caution people to:

• Avoid contact with those who are sick.
• Avoid touching for face, nose, eyes and mouth.
• Frequently and thoroughly wash hands with soap and water. If that’s not possible, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Do this especially before or after eating, after using the bathroom, and after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose.
• Cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze.
• Feeling sick? Stay home.
• Frequently disinfect frequently touched objects.

ESR is maintaining strict cleaning standards and social distancing practices. Read our COVID-19 response here.