Pain Condition
Herniated Disc Pain
By Dr. Anthony J. Gordon, Doctor of Acupuncture | Last reviewed September 2026
Your MRI shows a herniated or bulging disc, and now it feels like everything depends on that one spot. Most disc herniations improve without surgery, and much of the pain you feel comes from the muscles guarding the area and the nerves that became irritated. Those can be treated directly.
Prefer to talk it through? Call (516) 597-5400. Most new patients are seen within one to two weeks.
Overview
Understanding Herniated Disc Pain
Spinal discs are cushions between the vertebrae with a tough outer ring and a softer center. A herniation happens when some of the inner material pushes through the outer ring. It can irritate or press on a nearby nerve root, causing pain in the back or neck and pain, numbness or tingling in the leg or arm.
Many disc herniations shrink and settle over weeks to months. What keeps pain going is often the response around the disc: muscles in spasm protecting the spine, trigger points in the back, buttock or neck, and a nerve that stays sensitive even as the disc improves. It is also common to have disc bulges on imaging that are not the actual source of pain.
Your physician or spine specialist manages imaging, medication and procedures. Dr. Gordon treats the muscle guarding and nerve sensitivity that accompany disc herniations and often explain why pain lingers.
Herniated Disc Pain at a Glance
Also called
Bulging disc, slipped disc, disc herniation, radiculopathy when a nerve is involved
Where it happens
Most often in the low back and neck
Common symptoms
Back or neck pain, pain down the leg or arm, numbness, tingling, weakness
Natural course
Many herniations improve over weeks to months without surgery
What Dr. Gordon addresses
Muscle guarding, trigger points, nerve sensitivity, movement fear
The Gap in Care
What Tests Check, and What They Can Miss
Disc care focuses on the disc and nerve compression, which is essential when there are neurological changes. The muscle and nerve response around the disc often receives less attention.
What routine testing is looking for
- Size and location of the herniation
- Nerve compression with weakness
- Spinal stenosis
- Surgical candidacy
What often keeps symptoms going
- Protective spasm in the deep spinal muscles
- Buttock or shoulder blade trigger points that mimic nerve pain
- A nerve that stays sensitive as the disc heals
- Hip or thoracic stiffness that loads the injured level
- Fear of movement that keeps muscles guarding
These are assessed with a hands-on and neurological exam, which is how Dr. Gordon approaches disc pain.
Signs & Symptoms
Does This Sound Like You?
Symptoms vary from person to person. These are the patterns Dr. Gordon sees most often.
Back or neck pain
Pain at the level of the disc, often worse with bending or sitting.
Radiating leg or arm pain
Pain traveling down the leg or arm.
Numbness or tingling
Pins and needles in the leg, foot, arm or hand.
Pain with coughing or sneezing
A jolt of pain with coughing, sneezing or straining.
Muscle spasm
Tight, guarding muscles around the spine.
Weakness
Reduced strength in the leg or arm.
Root Causes
The Four Drivers Dr. Gordon Looks For
Most people have more than one of these in play. Finding which one leads makes treatment more efficient.
Disc and nerve root irritation
The herniation irritates or presses on a nerve root. Your spine specialist monitors this.
Protective muscle spasm
Muscles around the spine tighten to protect the area and become painful themselves.
Referred trigger points
Trigger points in the buttock or shoulder blade area can mimic nerve pain.
Lingering nerve sensitivity
The nerve can stay reactive even after the disc improves.
Your First Visit
How Dr. Gordon Evaluates Herniated Disc Pain
The initial evaluation runs 60 to 75 minutes. You leave with a clear picture of what is driving your symptoms, a written plan, a realistic timeline, and in most cases your first treatment.
- 1
Records and history review
Dr. Gordon reviews your MRI, spine specialist notes, medications, injections and physical therapy history.
- 2
Neurological screen
Dr. Gordon checks strength, reflexes and sensation to monitor nerve involvement.
- 3
Muscle and trigger point mapping
Hands-on assessment of the spinal, buttock, hip or shoulder muscles guarding the area.
- 4
Movement testing
Dr. Gordon identifies which positions ease or aggravate your symptoms.
- 5
Plan and coordination
A clear plan, plus communication with your physician, orthopedist or physical therapist when that helps your care.
When to see a physician first
- New weakness, numbness or tingling that is spreading or getting worse
- Numbness in the saddle area or loss of bladder or bowel control
- Back pain with fever, chills or unexplained weight loss
- Pain after a significant fall or accident
- Back pain with a history of cancer
- Severe pain at night that does not change with position
If you have any of these, contact your doctor or go to the nearest emergency department.
Bring to your first visit
Records
Recent lab results, imaging reports and specialist notes. These can also be faxed ahead.
Treatment history
A short list of what you have tried and what did or did not help.
Clothing
Something comfortable and loose fitting.
Treatment
How Dr. Gordon Treats It
These are the tools Dr. Gordon uses most often for herniated disc pain, chosen from your exam findings.
Orthopedic Dry Needling
Dr. Gordon has used dry needling for more than 18 years. Treatment releases protective spasm and trigger points around the injured level, working with nearby muscles rather than the disc itself.
See all servicesNeuro-Functional Acupuncture
Electro-acupuncture along the affected nerve pathway to calm nerve sensitivity and radiating pain.
See all servicesMovement Plan & Team Coordination
Guidance on positions, activity and pacing, coordinated with your spine specialist or physical therapist.
Referring provider? Contact the clinicWhat to Expect
A Typical Recovery Arc
Find the main driver
Dr. Gordon confirms which muscles and nerves are behind your symptoms and starts calming the most reactive areas. Many people notice early changes between visits.
Lower the baseline
Day-to-day symptoms ease, flares become shorter and less frequent, and normal routines start to feel more manageable.
Build resilience
Visits are spaced out as improvement holds. You leave with a maintenance and early-flare plan.
Most patients are seen weekly or every other week during active care. Individual results vary with how long symptoms have been present and how reactive they are. Progress is reassessed at every visit.
Not sure how to describe it? Put your pain or discomfort into words before your visit
I have had back and neck pain for over 10 years. ... Dr. Gordon took the time to listen to everything that has been bothering me. His knowledge, care, and expertise put me at ease. I cannot believe that I felt relief just after two visits.Kristen Sundack, Google Review
Herniated Disc Pain Questions
Answers About Herniated Disc Pain
Still unsure whether this is the right fit? Reach out before you book and Dr. Gordon will talk through your history with you.
Before You Book
General Questions
About Dr. Anthony J. Gordon
Dr. Anthony J. Gordon is a Doctor of Acupuncture licensed in New York and board certified. He holds ASE certification in intrapelvic and extrapelvic dry needling, along with advanced certifications in Functional Dry Needling and Neuro-Functional Acupuncture. With more than 18 years of clinical experience and over 3,000 complex cases treated, he focuses on pelvic, spinal and orthopedic conditions that have not responded to standard care, and works closely with each patient's physicians and physical therapists.
Read Dr. Gordon's full bioBook an Evaluation for Herniated Disc Pain
Book a full evaluation with Dr. Gordon and address the muscle and nerve side of your disc pain.
Early morning, evening and weekend appointments available. Free on-site parking.
Further Reading
Herniated Disc: Does Everyone Need Surgery?
From the blog: Most herniated discs improve without surgery. What research shows about discs that shrink on their own, when surgery is the right call, and the warning signs.
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