Herniated Disc & Sciatica

Understanding Radiating Pain and How Chiropractic Care Can Help

The terms herniated disc and sciatica are often used interchangeably, as both involve radiating pain. In the lower back, this pain can travel down the leg; in the neck, it may radiate into the arm.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

Between the vertebrae of the spine are intervertebral discs — gel-like cushions that absorb shock and support spinal movement. In a herniated disc, also known as Herniated Nucleus Pulposus (HNP), part of the disc bulges outward or tears, placing pressure on nearby spinal nerves.

This pressure can lead to symptoms such as:

  • Pain in the lower back, buttock, or leg

  • Tingling, numbness, or a “pins and needles” sensation

  • Muscle weakness in the leg or foot

  • Reduced mobility and function

Although the word “hernia” can sound alarming, only a small percentage of cases require surgery. Most herniated disc complaints improve significantly with conservative treatment. In many cases, symptoms reduce within 6 to 8 weeks.

However, the spine remains more vulnerable afterward due to the reduced elasticity and shock absorption of the disc. That’s why at Chiropractie Aalst-Waalre, we focus not just on symptom relief, but also on restoring spinal function, stability, and resilience.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica refers to radiating leg pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. While a herniated disc is a common cause, other factors may include:

  • Tight muscles in the lower back or gluteal region

  • Dysfunctional joints in the lower spine

  • Arthritis or spinal degeneration

  • Hormonal and structural changes during or after pregnancy

Examination

A thorough health history and symptom assessment is the first step. Because radiating pain can stem from many different sources, we perform a complete orthopaedic, neurological, and chiropractic evaluation to identify the precise cause of your symptoms — whether in the neck or lower back.

Treatment

Based on the examination results, a customised treatment plan will be developed. In most cases, initial treatment focuses on restoring mobility in the affected spinal segments using specific chiropractic techniques. Once mobility improves, we introduce stabilisation strategies to support recovery.

If needed, we collaborate with other healthcare disciplines — for example, by incorporating core-strengthening exercises for the lower back or neck — to ensure optimal results and long-term protection.

Chiropractie Aalst-Waalre offers safe, non-surgical care tailored to your condition, helping you recover faster and move more freely — without relying on long-term medication or invasive procedures.

In the latest guidelines from the Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG) regarding low back pain, spinal manipulation is explicitly included as a recommended treatment. This reflects the growing scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of manipulation for various musculoskeletal conditions — and the increasing recognition of its clinical value.