Can a herniated disc heal on its own?

Many disc herniations do improve over time, and symptoms often settle well before the imaging changes. That is one reason I do not judge progress by rescanning you. I judge it by whether your pain is retreating, your strength and sensation are holding, and you are getting back to what you need to do.

Is a bulging disc the same as a herniated disc?

They are different descriptions on a spectrum of disc changes, and radiologists do not always use the terms identically. Clinically it matters far less than whether the disc is affecting a nerve and whether that matches your symptoms. I have seen alarming reports on comfortable people and modest reports on people in real trouble.

Will I end up needing surgery?

Most people with disc-related pain do not. Surgery generally becomes the conversation when there are significant or progressive neurological deficits, or when a fair trial of conservative care has not produced the response we needed. If you get to that point, I would rather refer you early than keep going for another two months out of stubbornness.

Herniated Disc Brooklyn, NY

Q: Is spinal decompression safe for a herniated disc?

For appropriately selected patients, yes. The word appropriately is doing the work in that sentence. Decompression is not right for every disc, and there are presentations where I would not use it at all. That decision comes out of the examination and your neurological findings, not the wording on your scan.

Q: Can a herniated disc in my neck cause hand numbness?

It can. A cervical herniation irritating a nerve root can produce numbness, tingling, or weakness anywhere from the shoulder to the fingers. That said, hand numbness has other sources too, including compression at the wrist. The examination is what separates them, which is why I will not adjust someone's neck simply because their hand is numb.

Bulging & Herniated Discs
Spinal Decompression Care
No Injections or Surgery

Herniated Disc Chiropractor in Brooklyn, NY

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Donovan, D.C., University of Bridgeport. Last updated September 2026.

Man with herniated disc pain in his back, evaluated by Dr. Brian Donovan at Nuro Chiropractic in Brooklyn

Most people bring in their MRI report when they come in here at Nuro Chiropractic in Brooklyn. I am Dr. Brian Donovan. Although the report is helpful, it does not tell the whole story. It is not automatic that the disc is causing your symptoms even if it is shown by an MRI.

Pain is not always present when you have disc bulges and herniations. It is worth it to compare if the scan is aligned on what the body is telling.

How a Herniated Disc Actually Presents

Symptoms for every patient could be different. Some people complain about localized neck or low back pain, while others may have sharp, burning, or electric pain running into an arm or a leg.

Pain that worsens with coughing or sneezing
Symptoms that flare with sitting or bending
Numbness or tingling in the limb
Weakness in an arm, hand, or leg
Pain worse in certain positions only
Trouble lifting without setting it off

When it comes to the lower back, pain down the leg is often associated with radiating leg symptoms. A cervical herniation can irritate a nerve and signal pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the shoulder, which affects the neck.

Why I Do Not Treat the MRI

I dedicate the most time to the patient, not to looking at the MRI. Imaging findings and symptoms are both useful pieces of information that will help in dealing with the main issue. It is generally fine to build a plan if those two sets of info agree with each other.

“I do not want to treat an MRI report. I want to treat the patient in front of me.”

Dr. Brian Donovan, D.C.

Spinal decompression or even adjustment is not automatically given if a scan says you have a herniated disc. All of the other factors, such as imaging, the examination, the neurological findings, your symptoms, and response to treatment, must all fit together before coming to a decision of treatment.

Herniated Disc Evaluation in Brooklyn

Real information can be seen on the examination. Here is the process:

1 Take account the history. Know where the symptoms travel, movements that aggravate or improve them, and their progression.
2 Spinal range of motion, strength, sensation, and reflexes are checked through neurological and musculoskeletal examination.
3 Know if a nerve root is involved through specific orthopedic and neurological tests.
4 If the pain in your lower back lessens once you do a specific movement in your leg, that’s good news. However, if the pain spreads rather than minimizing, my approach will have to change.

Disc herniation is not visible in an X-ray film. If it is necessary to see the disc and the nerves around it, an MRI referral will be given.

Treatment Depends on the Neurological Findings

You’ll be an ideal candidate for conservative treatment if you have pain but don’t have a severe neurological deficit. You’ll undergo movement and mobility work, appropriately selected chiropractic techniques, soft-tissue treatment, progressive rehabilitation, and activity modification.
Several disc-related cases may benefit from spinal decompression. It uses controlled traction to lessen loading on the involved structures while we try to restore movement and function.
Acute patients undergo gentler treatments as they start. Once the symptoms and tolerance improve, progression happens in terms of their mobility, strength, spinal control, and normal activities.

Working With Other Providers

There is no issue co-managing with an orthopedist, neurologist, pain-management physician, physical therapist, or spine surgeon if the disc case is a complex one. It is always better to have a second specialist looking at the case rather than relying everything on conservative treatment.

When a Disc Problem Needs Medical Care

Consider it a serious neurological emergency if you have new loss of bowel or bladder control, numbness in the saddle or groin region, or rapidly progressing leg weakness. The condition you might be having is cauda equina syndrome. You must not delay a medical evaluation.

If you also have continuous arm or leg weakness, significant loss of sensation, walking difficulties, or worsening neurological findings, I also want you to take a break from the same treatment and get medically evaluated first. It is not wise to continue treatment for a case that is worsening and not getting any better.

Herniated Disc FAQs

Are herniated discs self-healing?

Lots of cases improve without intervention. Before anything else, I judge whether the pain has already, whether your strength and sensation are coming back, or whether you are starting to get back to your normal activities without pain.

What is the difference between a bulging disc and a herniated disc?

Radiologists do not always use the terms identically. Since they are both part of a spectrum of disc changes, the most important thing is to know the symptoms rather than focusing on the terms, that what makes them distinct.

Is spinal decompression safe for a herniated disc?

Yes, if the patient is screened properly. Decompression does not work for every disc problem. Some disc problems require medical solutions. We will know if conservative treatment will work after the examination and neurological findings are done.

Will I be required to undergo surgery?

Not necessarily. It only becomes necessary if the symptoms are significant and there are progressive neurological deficits, or there is no response to treatments already. In case you are in that situation, I will give an early referral so that you can be treated as soon as possible.

Can a herniated disc in my neck cause hand numbness?

Numbness, tingling, or weakness anywhere from the shoulder to the fingers can be felt if you have an irritated cervical herniation. However, hand numbness can have other causes too, such as compression at the wrist. The neck is not always adjusted just because of numbness; examinations must be done first to confirm the cause.

Know If Your Disc Is Really The Problem

Lessen the symptoms, protect neurological function, bring back your normal movement and strength, and get back to your usual physical activities without pain is the goal, not just making your MRI look better.

Nuro Chiropractic, 9408 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209. Serving Bay Ridge, Staten Island, Bensonhurst, Park Slope, Prospect Park, Borough Park, Manhattan, Dyker Heights, Williamsburg, and the greater Brooklyn area.

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