Herniated and Bulging Disc Treatment in Bakersfield
An MRI report that says “disc bulge” or “herniation,” a back that seizes up when you bend, or pain that shoots into your leg when you sit. Disc problems sound scary, but most get better without surgery, and the right exercise is a big part of that.
Yes, physical therapy helps most people with a herniated or bulging disc in the low back. Most disc problems improve without surgery, and a herniated disc often shrinks on its own over weeks to months. The American College of Physicians recommends starting with non-drug treatments, such as exercise, for most low back pain. At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist.
Does this sound like you?
✓An MRI or X-ray report that mentions a disc bulge, protrusion or herniation
✓Low back pain that is worse when you sit, bend forward or lift
✓Pain, tingling or numbness that runs into your buttock or leg
✓Coughing, sneezing or straining sends a jolt into your back or leg
✓Straightening up after sitting or bending is slow and painful
✓You’ve been told you have a “slipped disc” or a “pinched nerve” in your low back
What a herniated or bulging disc is
Discs are the cushions between the bones of your spine. Each one has a tough outer ring and a softer center.
A bulging disc spreads out a little past its normal edge, a bit like a tire that’s low on air. Bulges are very common and often cause no symptoms at all.
A herniated disc means some of the soft center has pushed through a weak spot in the outer ring. You may also hear it called a protrusion, an extrusion, a ruptured disc or a “slipped disc,” though discs don’t actually slip out of place.
A “pinched nerve” happens when disc material presses on or irritates a nearby nerve root. That causes pain, tingling or numbness that travels down the leg, called sciatica.
If your main problem is pain running down your leg, see our sciatica and back pain guide. This page focuses on the disc itself.
What your MRI does and doesn’t tell you
MRIs are very sensitive. Disc bulges and signs of disc wear show up in many people who have no back pain at all, and they become more common with age, a bit like gray hair. So a bulge on your report may or may not be the reason you hurt.
Your symptoms, a hands-on exam and how you move tell us much more about what to do next. If you have a report, bring it to your first visit and we’ll explain it in plain language. Read more: Do I need an MRI for back pain?
Why exercise helps
Rest can feel like the safe choice, but long rest usually leaves your back stiffer and weaker. Many people find that certain movements, such as gentle backward bending, ease their pain, while others do better bending slightly forward. We help you find yours, then add strength for your hips, legs and trunk so your back can handle sitting, lifting and work again. See Is it safe to exercise with a herniated disc?
What treatment at ARI looks like
1
A one-on-one evaluation
Your first visit takes about 45 to 60 minutes. We go over your history and any scans, test how your back moves, and check the nerves to your legs for strength, reflexes and sensation, so we know how the disc is affecting you and can rule out anything that needs a doctor.
2
Calm it down, then build it up
Movements and positions that ease your pain and draw symptoms up out of your leg, hands-on treatment, and changes to how you sit, sleep and get out of bed. As the pain settles, we add progressive strengthening for your back, hips and legs.
3
Back to lifting and living
Practice with the bending, lifting and carrying your work and home life need, a plan for flare-ups, and a home program so you know what to do if your back acts up again.
No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.
When to see a doctor first
See a doctor promptly if you have:
Numbness in the groin, buttocks or inner thighs, or new trouble controlling your bladder or bowels. These can be signs of cauda equina syndrome: get emergency care
Weakness in a leg or foot that is getting worse, such as your foot slapping or catching when you walk
Pain, numbness or weakness in both legs
Back pain with fever or chills, or feeling generally unwell
Back pain after a fall, car accident or other injury, especially if you have osteoporosis or take steroid medicine long term
A history of cancer, weight loss you can’t explain, or constant pain that is worse at night and doesn’t ease with rest or changing position
Why patients choose ARI
Care at ARI is always one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist at our Bakersfield clinic: 8200 Stockdale Hwy, Suite B2, in the Town & Country Village center next to Trader Joe's. Our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.
Herniated and bulging disc FAQs
A bulging disc spreads out a little past its normal edge. It is very common and often causes no pain. A herniated disc means some of the soft center has pushed through the outer ring, and it is more likely to irritate a nerve. Both often improve with exercise and time.
Often, yes. Many herniated discs shrink over weeks to months as the body reabsorbs part of the disc material, and most people improve without surgery. Staying active and doing the right exercises usually helps you feel better while that happens.
You don't have to avoid it, but long stretches of sitting often make disc pain worse. Getting up every 30 to 45 minutes, a small cushion or rolled towel behind your low back, and short walks during the day can help. Your therapist can suggest what works for your symptoms.
Usually yes, with a plan. Heavy lifting, especially while bending and twisting, may need to wait while your symptoms are flared up, but avoiding lifting for good tends to leave the back weaker. We build lifting back up step by step, starting light.
Most people do not. Surgery is usually considered for severe or worsening weakness, warning signs like bladder or bowel changes, or leg pain that doesn't improve with good conservative care. If you do have surgery, rehab afterward helps you recover.
No. In California you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage, so call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.