As the days get shorter and the temperature drops, it’s not just the ghosts and ghouls giving people in Harpenden a fright… it’s their backs!

Every autumn, we see a surge of people coming into Harpenden Sportsnspinal complaining of stiffness, aches, or sharp twinges that seem to appear out of nowhere. And while it might feel spooky when your back “goes” unexpectedly, there’s usually a very logical reason for it.

Here’s why your back might be acting up this season - and what you can do to fix it.

🍂 The Weather Factor: Why Cold Makes Things Worse

When temperatures dip, your muscles tighten and your joints become stiffer. That natural tension can make everyday movements -  bending, twisting, lifting - feel uncomfortable or even painful.

It’s also the time of year when many of us move less. We swap long walks and gardening for cozy evenings indoors, and the lack of movement causes the muscles that support the spine to weaken.

Add in a few sudden, chilly-morning movements like hauling...

Watch the video to find out if IDD Therapy can help you with sciatica, stenosis, or disc problems 

Are you wondering whether IDD Therapy can actually help sciatica, spinal stenosis, or disc problems - and you’re in Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire?

I might be able to help you!  What I want to do is guide you through the conditions that IDD therapy can help with so you know if IDD therapy its going to be right for you. 

What IDD Therapy? (in plain English!)

IDD stands for Intervertebral Disc Decompression. It’s a non-surgical, computer-controlled treatment designed for disc-related and nerve-related back/leg pain. You lie comfortably supported while the system gently targets the exact spinal level shown on your MRI.

• A precise stretch helps take pressure off the nerve.

• A gentle oscillation (a therapeutic “wiggle”) encourages fluid back into the disc - think of it like pumping up a tyre.

• With better pressure and fluid balance, the irritated nerve has space to settle.

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 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 - '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...

A herniated or ‘slipped disc’ is one of the most painful kinds of back pain affecting people’s lives. Ben came to see us in the clinic recently with this type of problem and with the correct diagnosis and treatment we were able to help him recover from his 1-year debilitating pain and get his life back on track. Here is Ben’s story…..

Ben’s problem:

Ben was working in the car industry and regularly had to lift heavy equipment. One particular day he recalled a very sharp pain which two days later caused a debilitating pain in his leg. Struggling to work or even sleep he contacted his GP who gave him strong medication. After struggling for many months and and using the services of Physiotherapist and Osteopath he was still in a great pain. Ben recalls;

‘The pain in my back and leg was so intense at times I had to lay down a lot. It was affecting my work and mood. I was starting to feel very depressed with no solution.’

Ben was able to get a MRI on the NHS and this revealed he had...