Slipped Disc vs. Sciatica: What’s the Difference and When Should You Seek Treatment?

Kenilworth Chiropractic
Dec 23, 2025
5 min read

Slipped Disc or Sciatica: What’s the Difference?

Many people experiencing lower back or leg pain aren’t sure whether they’re dealing with a slipped disc, sciatica, or both. The symptoms can overlap, the terminology is confusing, and online information isn’t always clear. But understanding the difference is an important first step toward getting the right treatment, especially if your pain is persistent or affecting daily life.

A slipped disc refers to a problem with the disc itself, while sciatica describes the nerve pain that can result from disc irritation or compression. You don’t have to figure this out alone. Our team at Kenilworth Chiropractic Clinic has decades of experience diagnosing and treating both disc and nerve-related conditions across Warwickshire, Coventry, Leamington Spa and beyond.

Key takeaways:

A slipped disc is a structural disc issue; sciatica is a nerve-related symptom
You can experience a slipped disc without sciatica, but nerve involvement often indicates sciatica
Early identification and treatment helps prevent chronic flare-ups
Persistent or worsening nerve symptoms warrant assessment

Person in a gray shirt holds lower back in pain and discomfort. Soft background with sheer curtains.

Slipped Disc vs. Sciatica: A Simple Breakdown

A slipped disc occurs when the soft centre of a spinal disc bulges or shifts, sometimes putting pressure on nearby nerves. Sciatica refers to the pain and nerve symptoms that occur when the sciatic nerve — or its nerve roots — are irritated or compressed. While the two conditions are related, they aren’t interchangeable.

Because the causes and effects differ, the right treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis. At Kenilworth Chiropractic Clinic, we assess whether the issue is primarily disc-related, nerve-related, joint-related, or a combination.

Symptom / Sign	Slipped Disc	Sciatica
Localised lower back pain	Common	Sometimes
Pain worse with bending/lifting/shifting	Very common	Often worsens nerve pain
Radiating leg pain	Possible	Classic sign
Tingling or pins and needles	Possible	Very common
Numbness or weakness	Possible	More common
Pain below the knee or in the foot	Less common	Strong indicator
Symptoms change with posture	Yes	Yes

What’s Happening Inside the Disc and Spine?

Spinal discs act as cushions between vertebrae. Each disc has a soft inner portion and a tougher outer layer. Over time or through repetitive strain, this outer layer can weaken or tear, allowing the inner material to bulge. This can put pressure on nerves and create the symptoms associated with both slipped discs and sciatica.

Once a disc becomes irritated, recovery can be slow because discs have limited blood supply. This explains why symptoms may only partially improve with basic exercises or pain relief.

Common contributors to disc irritation include:

Repetitive bending, lifting or twisting
Prolonged sitting and poor posture
Sudden awkward movements or injuries
Age-related disc dehydration
Reduced core stability

How These Conditions Often Feel Day to Day

People with disc or nerve-related pain experience a range of symptoms that can vary with position and activity. Many notice that symptoms worsen when sitting or bending and improve with movement. For others, pain can be sharp, unpredictable, or accompanied by tingling or numbness.

Patterns we commonly hear from patients include:

Sharp, catching pain when getting up or bending
A heavy, achy or tingling leg after sitting
Pain radiating from the back into the buttock, thigh or calf
Difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping or sitting position
Pain flares that interrupt daily activities or work

When Standard Care Isn’t Giving Lasting Relief

Many of our patients have already tried rest, painkillers, physiotherapy, or general chiropractic adjustments before coming to us. These approaches are effective for many types of back pain, but they don’t always address disc compression or nerve root irritation.

When symptoms persist or recur, it may indicate the need for more targeted treatment focused specifically on decompressing the affected disc.

Signs standard care may not be enough:

Symptoms persisting beyond 6–8 weeks
Recurring flare-ups with only short-term relief
Tingling, numbness or weakness that doesn’t improve
Pain affecting sitting, driving or sleep
Being advised to consider injections or surgery

Why IDD Therapy May Be More Suitable Than Chiropractic Alone

Chiropractic adjustments can improve joint mobility and reduce muscle tension. However, disc-related issues often require decompression to relieve internal disc pressure — something manual therapies alone cannot achieve.

IDD Therapy uses gentle, computer-controlled decompression to restore space within the disc, reduce pressure on nerves and support healing. It is especially beneficial for patients with nerve involvement or long-standing disc issues.

IDD Therapy is particularly helpful when:

Symptoms persist beyond 6–12 weeks
There is nerve involvement such as sciatica
Physiotherapy or chiropractic alone hasn’t fully resolved symptoms
Imaging shows disc bulges or herniation
Patients want a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment option

How Our Clinic Supports Disc and Nerve Pain

Kenilworth Chiropractic Clinic provides comprehensive care designed to address the underlying cause of pain. Whether the issue is muscular, joint-related, disc-based or nerve-related, we create treatment plans tailored to your needs, often combining chiropractic care with IDD Therapy and targeted rehabilitation.

Our approach includes a full clinical and neurological assessment, along with a detailed postural and spinal evaluation to understand the root cause of your symptoms. From there, we create an appropriate treatment plan that may combine chiropractic care, IDD Therapy or soft tissue techniques, depending on your needs. We also provide personalised home advice to support your recovery, improve mobility, and help prevent future flare-ups.

When to Seek an Assessment

If your symptoms are disrupting movement, sleep, work or daily activities, it’s important to seek assessment early. Disc and nerve-related issues respond best when treated promptly.

Book a consultation if you notice:

Leg pain, tingling, numbness or weakness
Back pain persisting for 2–6 weeks
Pain made worse by sitting, bending or lifting
Recurring back or leg pain
Difficulty performing normal activities

Urgent symptoms, such as loss of bladder or bowel control, or severe weakness, require immediate medical attention.

What to Expect at Your Consultation

Your chiropractor will explore your medical history, assess movement, and perform neurological tests to determine whether the disc, nerve or joints are involved. This helps us create an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to your symptoms.

Your assessment includes a detailed discussion of your symptoms, followed by orthopaedic and neurological testing to understand how your spine and nerves are functioning.

If you have scans, we will review them as part of the process before providing a clear diagnosis and a personalised treatment plan. You’ll also receive guidance on what to do at home — and what to avoid — to support your recovery and protect your spine long term.

Ready to Discover What's Really Causing Your Pain?

If you’d like to know whether your symptoms stem from a slipped disc, sciatica or both, and how IDD Therapy can improve your pain, our team is here to help.

Book your consultation

Learn more about IDD Therapy

Why Choose Kenilworth Chiropractic Clinic?

Since opening in 2007, Kenilworth Chiropractic Clinic has become known for its warm, friendly environment and professional approach to spinal care. We combine clinical expertise with supportive, down-to-earth communication, ensuring you always feel comfortable, informed, and cared for.

Our goal is not just to reduce your pain but to help you regain confidence in your body and enjoy a more active, comfortable life.