How does physical therapy help with bulging or herniated discs?

If you’ve been diagnosed with a bulging or herniated disc, you might be wondering: “Can PT really help?” The answer is a resounding yes—and often, without surgery.

Physical therapy can help by:

• Decompressing the disc through specific exercises and postural corrections
• Strengthening the core and back muscles to reduce stress on the spine
• Improving spinal alignment and mobility to decrease nerve irritation
• Reducing inflammation with manual therapy and movement-based strategies

At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, our conservative, minimally invasive philosophy means surgery is always the last resort. Our spine team works hand-in-hand to give you a therapy plan that treats the root of the problem, not just the symptoms.