Watch the video 'Can a herniated disc cause leg pain or sciatica'?

If you’ve felt sharp pain travelling from your lower back into your leg, you might be wondering if it’s sciatica and whether a herniated, slipped or bulging disc is the cause.

At Harpenden Sports & Spinal, we see this every day, and the good news is that most people recover without surgery.

If you know or suspect a disc issue, you can read more here. More information on Herniated Disc Treatment 

If you want to understand what's going on and what your can do to fix your disc injury - I'll guide you here.

What is a herniated disc?

Your spine is made of vertebrae separated by discs that act like shock absorbers.

A herniated disc (often called a “slipped disc”) happens when some of the soft inner material pushes through the tougher outer wall.

When this occurs in the lower back, it can irritate or compress the sciatic nerve. For a deeper dive into symptoms and how to get help, see our page on More informatio...

Watch the video 'What are the symptoms of sciatica and can a private clinic help?'

If you’ve ever felt sharp, shooting pain travelling from your lower back into your leg, you may be experiencing sciatica.

It can really effect your quality of life and ability to sleep well, do your job, look after children or grandchildren and do the activities you love. 

I'm going to help you understand what sciatica is but more importantly how you can get help. 

Sciatica is is one of the most common conditions we see at Harpenden Sports & Spinal, and the good news is that effective treatment is available at a private clinic without needing surgery.

 Find out more about Sciatica and Disc Pain

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is the name for pain that comes from irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve  - the longest nerve in your body. It runs from your lower spine, through your hips and buttocks, and down each leg.

When a disc in the spine bulges or herniates, or if there’s narrowing of the sp...

Watch the video to understand how IDD Therapy treatment works – and that is it safe?

Are you wondering how IDD Therapy heals a herniated, slipped or bulging disc - and whether it’s safe?

You’re in the right place.

Below, I’ll explain what IDD Therapy treatment is, how it works, what you feel in a session I'll also make it clear how I ensure it is 100% safe for before starting treatment. Find out more about IDD therapy

What is IDD Therapy?

IDD stands for Intervertebral Disc Decompression. In simple terms, it’s a computer-controlled, non-surgical spinal decompression treatment designed specifically for disc problems and related nerve pain (like sciatica). 

If you picture a disc like a water balloon - or, better yet, like a car tyre - it’s easier to visualise it. . When a car tyre looses pressure it starts to bulge and its the same with a spinal disc. The disc loses internal pressure, it can bulge into the space where the spinal nerves run.

Those nerves are extremely sensitive, so ...

Watch the video - what is the best treatment for sciatica in Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire?

Are you wondering what the best type of treatment is for sciatica and you live in the Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire area?

You’re in the right place.

I've been a specialist in sciatica pain for over a decade and  I know its a minefield of advice out there and a lot is not helpful. .So, I've put together a sciatica guide to simplify it for you so you know your next right step.

First: what is sciatica (and how it feels)

Sciatica is that sharp, shooting pain from your buttock down the leg. Because the sciatic nerve is involved, you may also feel:

• Burning, tingling, pins and needles

• Altered sensation or numbness

• Loss of strength/power in the leg

A common cause is a disc problem (slipped/herniated/prolapsed), though there are other reasons too.

Two phases to think about: acute vs. chronic

1) Acute phase (roughly the first 4 weeks)

Your body is in a rapid healing phase.

Su...

Watch the video to understand what is the best non-surgical treatment for a herniated disc?

Are you weighing up your options for the best treatment for your herniated (bulging/slipped) disc? You want to stay away from surgery/injections?

You’re in the right place! I've put together some practical advice and options as you work out what your next right step and my aim is to give you an informed choice

. More information - Finally a Solution for Your Herniated Disc

First things first: what’s going on with the disc?

Think of a disc like a water balloon or even a car tyre. When pressure drops inside the disc, it can bulge into the space where sensitive spinal nerves run. That’s why you might feel sharp back/leg pain, tingling, pins and needles, burning, or even a loss of strength.

 Practical advice that helps most people

I'd think of what to do in two phases:

Phase 1:  Settle the flare (early/acute pain)

• Keep gently active -avoid too much bed rest. Switch positions often: a

  ...

Watch the video to show how does IDD Therapy help with spinal canal stenosis? 

Are you wondering how IDD Therapy can help with spinal canal stenosis and you live in Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire?

I've put together a simple guide so you are clear :what stenosis is, why it hurts, what treatment options you have, how safe treatment is to get you back feeling good again. 

What is spinal canal stenosis (in plain English!)?

Spinal canal stenosis means the space around your spinal nerves has narrowed. When space gets tight, nerves get irritated, which can cause:

• Aching or sharp pain in the back/buttock that can run into the leg

• Pins and needles, tingling, burning, or numbness

• Heavy/tired legs or reduced walking distance (often improves when you sit or lean forward)

  

Common reasons the space narrows:

1. Discs can lose height and bulge
2. Facet joints can thicken/overload
3. The ligamentum flavum (a lining ligament) can buckle into the canal - which takes up space

Its all ...

Watch the video to find out what symptoms of a herniated disc can IDD Therapy help with? 

Are you dealing with a herniated, slipped or bulging disc and wondering if IDD Therapy can actually help you?

Because I see people everyday in Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire with herniated disc symptoms I've written a guide which I hope helps you understand  if IDD therapy might be an option for you - so you know if this could be a good option for you Jump to find a solution to my Herniated disc problem

Quick refresher: why do discs cause so many symptoms?

Think of a disc like a water balloon (or a car tyre). When it loses pressure, it can bulge into the space where your spinal nerves run. Those nerves are incredibly sensitive, so when they’re irritated or compressed you can feel far more than “just back pain.”

Symptoms IDD Therapy is designed to help

IDD therapy was designed to heal herniated (slipped or bulged) symptoms including;

1) Back and leg pain (sciatica-style)

• Sharp, searing...

Watch the video to find out what symptoms indicate spinal stenosis versus general back pain?

Are you trying to work out whether your pain is general back pain or spinal stenosis?

Below is a guide which I hope helps you understand the difference and what to look for.  It's important to say that you can only diagnose spinal stenosis with an MRI but hope this guide gives you some help of what to look out for. 

Quick refresher: what is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis means the space around your spinal nerves has narrowed. When space gets tight, the nerves get irritated. That irritation shows up most when you’re upright and moving, especially walking. 

Spinal stenosis: the tell-tale symptom pattern

If you’re ticking several of these, stenosis is more likely:

• Leg symptoms with standing/walking: aching, burning, tingling, numbness, heaviness or weakness into the buttock/legs.

• Limited walking distance: you have to stop or sit down after a while because your legs feel heavy o

  ...

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit us at Harpenden Sports & Spinal. For many, the cause is Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) - a condition that happens as the spinal discs naturally wear down with age. If you’ve been told you have degenerative discs or if you’ve been struggling with chronic back pain, you may be wondering what can be done about of if you just have to love with it. 

If you're looking for a solution to finally get active again and do the things you love without being in pain I'm going to help explain a solution to you. If you want to avoid surgery keep reading! 

 Found out more about treatment for Degenerative disc disease

What is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Your spinal discs act as cushions between the bones in your spine. Over time, discs can lose hydration and height, making them less flexible. This is known as Degenerative Disc Disease.

Common symptoms include:

• Chronic lower back pain

• Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, or lift

  ...

Watch the video - 'Are you struggling with a herniated, slipped, or bulging disc and living in the Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire area'?

If so, you’re in the right place.

In this article I'll explain how IDD Therapy (Intervertebral Disc Decompression) works to relieve disc problems, reduce pain, and help you avoid surgery.

 How a Herniated or Bulging Disc Causes Pain

Think of a spinal disc like a water balloon or even a car tyre. When it’s full and healthy, it stays firm and in place. But if it loses pressure, it can bulge outward, pressing on sensitive nerves in your spine.

When these nerves are compressed, you may experience:

• Intense back or leg pain

• Numbness or tingling

• Pins and needles

• Burning sensations

• Loss of strength or power

This can be debilitating, and many patients feel trapped between ongoing pain and the prospect of surgery. Find out more how we treat Herniated or Bulging Discs

What Is IDD Therapy?

IDD Therapy stands for Interverte...