If you have suffered from incapacitating low back pain for more than 1 week, do not hesitate to consult your doctor. If your lower back pain extends into your leg and gets worse when you sit or stand, or when you cough or sneeze, there’s a good chance it’s a herniated disc. But this is not always the case, hence the importance of a good evaluation.

Contrary to the myth conveyed for several years, herniated disc surgery is rarely necessary. Conservative treatment (early rest, medication, and physiotherapy) provides relief for the vast majority of people within 4 to 6 weeks. But there is more! Above all, you need to avoid recurrence, which is not uncommon if the risk factors are still present. You may need to change some lifestyle habits, like losing weight and exercising regularly, and you may need to follow the recommendations we have made about posture and work in the Prevention section.

D^r Jacques Allard, MD, FCMFC