A herniated disc, sometimes called a slipped or bulging disc, occurs when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through its outer layer. In the low back, that can irritate nearby nerves and cause back pain, leg pain, numbness, or tingling. In the neck, it can cause neck, shoulder, and arm pain.

Not everyone with a disc change on imaging has pain, and not all back or leg pain is from a disc. An evaluation, along with your medical history and any imaging you already have, helps determine whether your symptoms fit a disc problem, another problem, or a combination.

​

Symptoms people often describe

• Back or neck pain, sometimes with pain radiating into the leg or arm

• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg or arm

• Pain that gets worse with sitting, bending, coughing, or lifting

• Difficulty finding a comfortable position for sleep or sitting

If you have progressive weakness, numbness in the saddle area, changes in bowel or bladder function, fever, unexplained weight loss, or pain after a significant trauma, seek prompt medical care.

 

How physical therapy at Integral can help

Your first visit is an initial evaluation, including a thorough medical history review and a complete biomechanical assessment, to guide a personalized treatment plan with measurable goals.

Treatment may include manual therapy and soft tissue techniques, myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, personalized exercises to improve strength, flexibility, posture, and movement patterns, and education on sitting, lifting, and daily activities to reduce irritation and flare-ups.

The goal is not to "push a disc back in" with one treatment. The goal is to reduce pain and nerve irritation over time, restore movement and function, and help you manage your back or neck long term, while monitoring whether you need further medical evaluation.

​

Sacroiliac dysfunction and disc pain — why we check both

Sacroiliac dysfunction can coexist with, or mimic, disc-related pain. SI joint pain often sits in the low back and buttock and can radiate into the leg, similar to disc-related sciatica. If SI dysfunction is missed, treatment focused only on the disc may not fully address the pain.

At your evaluation, we assess the SI joints as well as the spine, so your plan addresses the pattern that fits your examination — disc, SI joint, muscle, posture, or a combination — rather than treating a single label.

Frequently asked questions

​

Do I need a referral?
All insurance clients need a physical therapy referral. In Oklahoma, a physical therapy referral can be written by an allopathic physician (MD), osteopathic physician (DO), physician assistant (PA), advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), dentist (DDS/DMD), chiropractor (DC), or podiatrist (DPM). Under the Oklahoma Physical Therapy Practice Act, these referrals must align with the provider's specific area of training and practice.

​

How many visits will I need?
That depends on your evaluation, your goals, and how you respond. There is no fixed number that fits everyone, and your plan will be adjusted as you progress.

​

Will I need surgery?
Many people improve with conservative care, but some do need a surgical consultation. That decision is made with your physician, especially if you have progressive weakness, persistent nerve symptoms, or symptoms that do not improve with conservative care.

​

Get started in Norman

Integral Spine & Joint Physical Therapy
231 34th Avenue SW, Norman, OK 73072
Phone: (405) 593-8353

This page provides general information about herniated discs and physical therapy. It is not medical advice and does not replace an evaluation by a qualified clinician.​​​

​​

​

If I only want dry needling?

Dry needling is not covered by insurance, and it's why dry needling is not listed on our Physiotherapy or Back Pain pages. At Integral, dry needling is offered only as part of a Wellness visits, which are for minor tune-ups that do not require a full course of physiotherapy.

If you only want dry needling, start here:

​

Book a Wellness visit.

​​

Find out more about Dry Needling

​​

The listed costs for the 60-minute physical therapy visits are the out-of-pocket/self-pay rates, like if you have a deductible to meet. Your specific insurance policy benefits will determine what your payment responsibility is, this will be verified before starting therapy.

This page provides general information about posture, back pain, and physical therapy. It is not medical advice and does not replace an evaluation by a qualified clinician.