You Need To Consider Doing This If Your Slipped Disc Is Not Improving With Exercise
A slipped disc can feel like a constant, painful reminder that something is wrong. Whether caused by an injury, overuse, or aging, a slipped disc can lead to intense pain, numbness, and weakness, particularly in the lower back or legs. The discomfort from a slipped disc can make even simple tasks—like sitting, standing, or walking—extremely painful and challenging.
The emotional impact of a slipped disc can be just as overwhelming as the physical pain. The anxiety about worsening symptoms, combined with the frustration of not being able to move freely, can lead to stress, helplessness, and a sense of being trapped in your own body. If exercise hasn’t provided lasting relief from your slipped disc, it may be time to explore other treatment options that target the root cause and offer real, long-term solutions.
Exercise: A Common Approach to Treating Slipped Disc
Exercise is often recommended as part of the recovery process for a slipped disc because it can help strengthen the muscles that support the spine, improve flexibility, and reduce pressure on the disc. Gentle stretching, core strengthening, and low-impact exercises can help promote healing, reduce pain, and improve mobility.
However, while exercise is helpful for many individuals recovering from a slipped disc, it may not always provide complete or lasting relief, especially if the disc is severely displaced or there is nerve compression. For some, exercise alone may not address the root cause of the pain, leaving them feeling frustrated and uncertain about how to proceed with their recovery.
Why Getting a Clear Diagnosis Is Crucial
A slipped disc can result from a variety of causes, and understanding the exact cause is crucial for developing the right treatment plan. Here are five common causes of slipped disc:
- Sudden Twisting or Lifting Movements – Improper lifting or sudden twisting motions can cause the disc to slip, resulting in pain and discomfort.
- Degenerative Disc Disease – As the discs in the spine wear down over time, they can become more susceptible to slipping or bulging.
- Trauma or Injury – Accidents or injuries can cause the disc to shift, leading to a slipped disc and nerve compression.
- Poor Posture – Chronic poor posture, especially when sitting for extended periods, can increase pressure on the spine, contributing to disc problems.
- Obesity or Poor Physical Condition – Excess weight can put additional strain on the spine, increasing the risk of a slipped disc.
In addition to these common causes, two less common but potentially serious causes of slipped disc include:
- Spinal Infections – Infections in the spine can cause inflammation and pain, potentially leading to a slipped disc.
- Spinal Tumors – Abnormal growths in or around the spine can cause pressure on the discs, leading to a slipped disc.
The Need for Imaging to Get a Precise Diagnosis
It’s important to understand that slipped discs cannot always be fully diagnosed based on symptoms alone. Imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds are necessary to assess the condition of the discs, vertebrae, and surrounding tissues. These tools provide healthcare providers with a clearer view of the issue, allowing them to create a targeted treatment plan.
The Pain Relief Clinic: Your Partner in Finding a Clear Diagnosis
At The Pain Relief Clinic, we understand how a slipped disc can limit your ability to move freely and disrupt your quality of life. With over a decade of experience, we specialize in offering non-invasive diagnostic services to uncover the root cause of your pain. If exercise hasn’t provided lasting relief, we can arrange for affordable scans, typically within one working day.
Medisave can often be used to help cover the cost of these scans, making them more accessible for you.
We also assist with insurance claims, including accident insurance, travel insurance, and company insurance, ensuring that you can access the care you need without added financial strain.
Once we have a precise diagnosis, we can provide targeted treatments, solutions, and non-invasive technology to help alleviate your slipped disc and restore your mobility.
Ready to take control of your slipped disc pain? Send us a message today to arrange an appointment and take the first step toward lasting relief from slipped disc.
What To Expect When I Visit The Pain Relief Clinic
A typical visit will involve our doctor first understanding your medical history, concerns and previous experience with other pain treatments.
For patients who have consulted many people but have yet to receive a clear diagnosis, selecting an affordable imaging scan might be recommended to confirm the cause of your pain..
Some patients have already done scans with other doctors for their pain condition but are still not clearly told what they suffer from.
Dr Terence Tan is happy to offer you a second opinion and recommend how best to manage your condition.
We also see patients who already have a confirmed diagnosis from specialist pain doctors, but are "stuck” because treatment options offered are not practical or acceptable.
We can help by discussing options that you might have potentially never been told of.
A common experience is when a patient has already consulted a specialist doctor for pain management and is told to consider orthopaedic surgery which they find too aggressive.
Or they may have seen doctors for their pain and were prescribed painkillers with potential side effects which made them feel uncomfortable.
Many of our patients have also first tried complementary treatments or acupuncture with traditional Chinese pain doctors.
They look for a second opinion after finding any relief experienced from other treatments to be temporary or requiring repetitive treatments, which add up to time and cost.
Especially in such situations, we emphasize using non-invasive medical technology you likely have not been told about .
This can make a big difference to your results.