Herniated Disc (Slipped Disc): Symptoms, Causes & Treatments in London

Back pain that shoots down your leg? Arm tingling that won’t go away? You might be facing a herniated disc — and you’re not alone.

At my spine clinic in London, I treat hundreds of patients every year with slipped discs (also called herniated or prolapsed discs). Some can’t sit. Others can’t walk more than a few minutes.

The good news?

Most of them recover fully — without surgery

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the exact causes, symptoms, diagnosis methods, and treatments I use — so you can make an informed, confident decision about your health.

Your spine is made of bones (vertebrae) with discs between them — soft cushions that absorb shock.

When a disc tears or slips, the inner gel pushes out and presses against your nerves — and the pain often radiates along the nerve’s path, down your arm or leg.

💡 Imagine a jelly donut. Press too hard, and the filling squirts out. If it touches a nerve? That’s your pain.

• Dull or sharp back pain that worsens when bending, lifting, or twisting
  
• Sciatica — a burning or electric-like pain that runs down one leg
  
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hand, foot, or legs
  
• Pain worsens when sitting too long — often relieved by lying down
  
• Limp due to pain and makes walking and standing difficult
• Coughing, sneezing, or even laughing can make the pain shoot down

If the pain stays in one spot, it could be muscle or joint strain.
But when it travels — say, from your lower back to your leg — that’s a strong sign a nerve is involved

• Cervical spine (neck): Pain, numbness, or weakness in shoulder and arm
• Lumbar spine (lower back): Leg pain, sciatica, or foot numbness

It’s not just age. 

It’s load + posture + time