Herniated Disc: Chiropractic Treatment and When Surgery Is Needed
A herniated disc can press on a nerve and cause radiating pain. Read how chiropractic care can help — no referral, plus the signals that need medical care.
What is a herniated disc?
A herniated disc is a protrusion of an intervertebral disc in the back. That protrusion can press against a nerve root, causing pain that radiates to the buttock, the leg, or even the foot, also called sciatica. It can be intense and frightening. The reassuring news: most herniated disc complaints recover without surgery. During your first visit we map out exactly what is going on and whether chiropractic care is right for you.
About 75 percent of people with radiating pain from a herniated disc recover within three months. The advice: stay gently active and continue your daily activities as far as the complaints allow. Your first visit costs €39 and requires no referral from your GP. Most Dutch health insurers (partially) reimburse chiropractic care from the supplementary package, without touching your deductible.
At Embody Health, Dr. Stephen Malone (DC, DCF/SNRC) looks at your complaint with over 12 years of clinical experience. In those years we helped more than 2500 people with back and neck complaints, with an average Google rating of 4.9 out of 5. You will find us in Alphen aan den Rijn, Amersfoort, and Rotterdam.
“Had 12 treatments for lower back pain; you are helped professionally with a treatment plan. Very satisfied and pain-free by now! I recommend it to anyone dealing with all kinds of pain complaints.”
Symptoms of a herniated disc
A herniated disc in the lower back often gives radiating pain in the leg. Do you recognize one or more of these complaints?
- sharp, shooting pain in the lower back that can come on suddenly, often when bending, coughing, or sneezing
- radiating pain along the buttock and the back of the leg, sometimes down to the foot
- tingling, numbness, or a sleepy feeling in the leg or foot
- muscle weakness in the leg, for example trouble walking on your toes or heels
- complaints that worsen when sitting or standing for a long time and ease with rest
Radiating pain, tingling, and numbness are common with a herniated disc and are not alarm signs. Still, we always assess these complaints carefully, because back complaints can have different causes.
Causes of a herniated disc
The discs between the vertebrae act as natural shock absorbers. A herniated disc happens when the soft centre of such a disc bulges through the outer layer. Common causes and risk factors are:
- ageing and wear: as we get older, the discs lose fluid and elasticity, increasing the chance of a bulge
- sudden or heavy strain: an awkward twist or lifting something heavy with a rounded back
- long hours of sitting with a rounded back, for example at a desk or in the car
- overweight, which loads the lower back extra
- smoking, which affects the nutrition of the discs
- heredity: some people naturally have a higher chance of a herniated disc
Our first step: rule out serious causes
Safety first: at every first visit we screen for the signals that need medical assessment. Most herniated disc complaints recover on their own, and we always screen first for the few signals that need medical assessment: numbness around your bottom or genitals, not being able to control when you pee or poo, not being able to pee, or a progressive loss of feeling or strength in one or both legs. These can be signs of cauda equina syndrome, and acting quickly matters — we guide you through that. Once those signals are ruled out, we investigate whether chiropractic care can support your recovery: that is where we can help.
Your chiropractor is a primary-contact practitioner — a herniated disc like yours is what we assess daily, often before anyone else does. That is exactly what we're trained for: we screen for the rare serious causes of a herniated disc, and most of the time the answer is good news. Most herniated disc pain is harmless and well treatable. Only 3 signals are worth flagging on your own:
- loss of bowel or bladder control, or trouble peeing
- numbness in the saddle area (around the anus and genitals)
- rapidly worsening weakness in one or both legs
These deserve attention the same day. Contact us — we have 24/7 telephone availability; our front desk will notify the chiropractor right away if it looks urgent, and we'll assess your a herniated disc and tell you honestly whether it needs hospital care; you need no GP referral and no detour. Not sure? Talk it through with your GP or with us — but we're here, and we'll screen it with you.
Herniated disc: chiropractor or osteopath?
Are you wondering whether a chiropractor or an osteopath is the better choice? In short: a chiropractor focuses specifically on the spine and nervous system with targeted corrections, while an osteopath works more from muscles and tissues. Both can help. Which approach fits best is discussed during your first visit.
Our chiropractors first examine the mobility of your spine and the function of the nerves that run from the back to your legs. With gentle, precise adjustments we reduce tension and support recovery. Together we set up a personal treatment plan with realistic goals. You always get a careful approach: when medical treatment is needed, we refer you honestly.
Most Dutch health insurers (partially) reimburse chiropractic care from the supplementary package, without touching your deductible. Your first visit costs €39; a single follow-up consultation is €65 and a consultation in a recovery package €55. See what your health insurer reimburses and the prices.
Did you know most health insurers (partially) cover chiropractic care from your supplementary package, without touching your deductible?
Check your coverageSurgery for a herniated disc or not?
If complaints last longer than six to eight weeks, your GP may discuss the option of surgery with you. Surgery speeds up recovery in the first year, but after one year there is no difference with continuing conservative treatment: in both cases about 95 percent of people recover fully or almost fully. A Cochrane review on surgery for a herniated disc reaches a similar conclusion. Surgery is therefore far from always necessary; many people consciously choose a conservative approach. A systematic review on spinal manipulation for a lumbar disc herniation found the approach can improve pain and function in some people, although the quality of the evidence is limited. For low back pain in general, spinal manipulation is considered an evidence-based non-surgical option. Chiropractic can play a role in that conservative approach.
Book an appointment for a herniated disc
Not sure about your herniated disc or radiating pain? See also the information about lower back pain. Book a first visit at Embody Health Chiropractie. You are welcome in Rotterdam (Nieuwe Binnenweg 344), Alphen aan den Rijn, and Amersfoort, without a referral. Call +31 172 26 3073 or book online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a herniated disc treatment cost?
Your first visit costs €39. Follow-up consultations are €65 (single) or €55 per consult in a package; child consultations are €35. Most Dutch health insurers (partially) cover chiropractic care from the supplementary package.
How do I relieve a herniated disc?
Stay as active as your pain allows and avoid heavy lifting or bending with a rounded back. Chiropractic care aims to restore spinal mobility so pressure on the nerve can decrease. Most herniated disc complaints recover without surgery, and relief usually builds gradually over weeks.
What are three symptoms of a herniated disc?
Sharp, shooting pain in the lower back that can come on suddenly, often when bending, coughing, or sneezing. Radiating pain along the buttock and the back of the leg, sometimes down to the foot. Tingling, numbness, or weakness in the leg or foot.
Can a herniated disc heal on its own?
Yes, in most cases. The body reabsorbs part of the herniation over time and the pressure on the nerve decreases, usually within weeks to months. Surgery is rarely needed. That is why a thorough assessment and a clear plan matter more than rushing into treatment.
What does a bulging disc feel like?
A dull or sharp pain at the level of the disc, often radiating into the buttock or leg. Many people notice it worsens when sitting for a long time, bending forward, or coughing, and eases when lying down or moving around.
Chiropractor or osteopath for a herniated disc?
A chiropractor focuses specifically on the spine and nervous system with targeted corrections, while an osteopath works more from muscles and tissues. Both can help. Which approach fits best depends on your situation and is discussed during your first visit.
Sources
- NHS: Slipped disc — symptoms, self-care and treatment (accessed 28-08-2026)
- MedlinePlus: Herniated Disk — summary and treatment options (accessed 28-08-2026)
- Cochrane review: surgical treatment for a slipped lumbar disc — limited long-term advantage
- Systematic review: spinal manipulation for a lumbar disc herniation (2018) — improved pain and function in some people, evidence limited
- Cochrane review: spinal manipulative therapy for chronic low back pain — evidence-based non-surgical option
Next time you search, get an answer this clear again — add Embody to your preferred sources.
