Self-test for a Bulging or Herniated Disc (Low Back & Sciatica Pain)

Try this simple self-test to determine if your low back pain and sciatica are caused by a bulging disc.

We break down low back and sciatic pain into 3 main categories: bulging discs, degenerative changes and SIJ pain (sacro-iliac joint).

In this first of 3 videos, you can learn if a bulging disc is the potential culprit for your low back and sciatica pain.

Please leave a comment or question below. Thanks for watching!

- Luke Gordon, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy & Owner of Gordon Physical Therapy

[opchad]

Hello! I recently did some dead lifts at the gym this morning and stopped because my lower back tightened up while in motion of putting the bar down. After watching your video my back feels tight leaning back and actually doesnt bother me to lean forward and touch the ground. Althogh it is soar going from touching the ground to standing. Muscle strain or bulged disc? Not so much as pain but soar with no leg pain. Thank you and thanks for the video!

[jdright]

I find your advice quite informative thank you. I am wondering, is it possible to have a bulging disc as well as a degenerative issue? I have as of yesterday when I started PT, 3 differing opinions. My docror says sciatica (which I am learning it seems a symptom of something else), the radiologist who says bone thickening, and now the PT who says bulging disc. But when, and I told the therapist this, I do the 3 basic stretches for bulging disc I experience discomfort and at times pain and find myself looking for the nearest place to sit down. And yet after the stretches still find some comfort. So that is why I ask, is possible to perhaps have a bulging disc because of the degenerative issue. Btw, the stretches you outlined for the degenerative problems feel much better...

[gaymer]

Hello, i am 16 and i was squatting pretty heavy weight. I usually can rep it 8 times (315lb) but last month i did a squat with pretty bad form and felt sharp pain in my lower back but i was able to finish the rep so the pain wansnt that bad(7/10). Its been a month and the pain has subdued a little bit but its still pretty bad when i move my lower back to the front or back. Is there any chance that i slipped a disc? Im pretty scared to check 😭

[enidsingh]

Thank you for this video!! Now I have a question! Soo about 4 months now I’ve experienced lower back right side pain and it only hurts when I’m bending forward or if I’m standing for to long for example washing dishes and I suddenly bend over. Sometimes it feels like if it were stiff. But when I’m resting I have no problems I have no appointment with my doctor because they have no availability until next month!! 😮

[richyh]

I have had sore back for 4 weeks but bent over there and it's now got worse. The pain/feeling has travelled down to my buttocks on my left side and my back feels cold or warm at times and sometimes feels wet when it's not. Any ideas what this could be ? I will make doctors appointment tomorrow

[justinr]

I have been having significant swelling in my upper, inner right thigh for 3 months now. I have a tight and stinging feeling in my inner thigh and a weakness and soarness in my right pelvis when sitting at my work desk. Sitting down in my work chair in particular seems to intensity pain and cause swelling to come back after about a week of improvement. Ortho recommended PT for most likely a buldged disk at L2/L3 vertebrae. Have you ever encountered swelling from sciatic pain in upper thigh? That seems to be the biggest problem i am experiencing

[jackgreaves]

When I bend forward I dont feel pain, when I bend backwards I'm not in pain but I can feel the sciatic nerve being pressed on down my left leg what is this?

[natestarlin]

Sorry for long post. I tilt to the right a slight but but its not like my shoulders are way off base. They are still over my hips but uneven. My right side is my dominant but my right leg, arm and abdominal muscles are all a bit smaller in size. I lean to the right a slight bit but it doesnt look like my hips are shifted it looks more as if my spine is C shaped making my right him and right shoulder come closer together. With a shirt off you can definately see shoulders are not level and that my abdominal muscle fill in quite fully on the left and on the right it looks like i have a pinched abdomen or ( dimple) as to where the left is full and has oblique definition. I heard its a muscle imbalance but ive never heard of anyone with imbalances ALL on one side. Its usually just like one bigger tricep or bicep or something. When I force myself to stand upright as well as I can I get a pinched nerve sharp pain feeling in the low left back. It doesnt not travel to my legs nor does it go up my spine. I'm trying to figure out whats wrong because its making my physique ugly. Its visible that i lean to the right....how can I fix this??? Id love to see a PT but have no extra funds and cannot afford insurance and any medical has denied me and my wife saying we make too much. Im just lost and want to fix this for aesthetic and comfort reasons..any info would help.

[riddhiroy]

Sir I am lifting for 2 years now. No pain in my lower back but it kinda started feeling heavy for like 2-3 weeks. I did the test that you mentioned but I don't feel pain but instead my lower back feels kinda heavy. Do you think it can be an indicator of a bulging disc?
Sir please do reply. I will be eagerly waiting.

[jjnatte]

Ive had bulgeing discs before and I herniated disc years ago and had surgery. No long problems sonce then until now out no where i got sreaming pain in back upper leg. If i stand too long i get weak have sit down pain so bad. Shoots tingles in bottom of both feet. I hope its not a herinated disc. Been over week now i guess going to er an find out

[noorgull]

I this information very helpful. i have back lower back pain from last 4 months. i have been diagnosed with multiple lipomas on my back which are painful. got one of them removed but pain is still there. plus there is numbness nd weakness in my left leg off and on. i went through a lumbosacral MRI nd it says that there is bulging of 2 discs. now which problem is causing the pain ? lipomas or bulging discs? nd which problem should be adressed first?

[jeyc]

I've seen many videos on this but by far he has related most to my PT and PCP opinions, I keep trying to convince myself it is a muscle or something and I do these movements just to be more pissed and hurt than when I started lmao. I am 21 and am praying an MRI is going to prove me wrong. ( Solar/Roofing/Construction)

[cryptoharald]

Hello, I had a herniated disc 2 months ago. My leg pain at the extrusion level has gone away, but I still have some stiffness in my waist. Will this go away? What should I do? I can feel it when I sit down and lean forward. I am 25 years old.

[SunilKumar-egq]

Hello sir...What should be the AP diamter of L4L5 and L5S1 for a normal person of age 28 years ?? Please reply sir

[brett]

Was walking and almost went to my knees from pain out of no where in the top of my right glute/lower back. Was unbearable for 2 days to sit, lay, walking it felt like it could give out, putting head forward killed. Its alot better now 3 days later but can still feel it there a little. I'm assuming got a herniated disc?

[mrlewis]

so i just diagnosed with this… i am still trying to grasp that this pain will be forever and that i just have to relax and i can’t take a pill or stretch to make it go away. i mean they help but omg it HURTS!

[bibbyxx]

I can’t lay on my back without sharp pain in my left lower back right by the “back dimple” can’t touch my toes with my left leg and frontside of hips always pop when standing up out of chairs or car

[niftyshots_]

What if it hurts more when I bend forward

[suhailjasrotia]

I have lower left side I lifted a sack of around 30-40 kgs.... The pain is not going down the legs ..but forward bending hurts ....the pain is not much extreme...but it is there... It didn't hurt in the morning when i wake up ..but as i do my regular work... And suddenly if i bend it hurts ...but the pain is should i do?? Is it herinated....??? I don't want to go for surgery 😭😭

[Lydiaelkobi]

disc bulge needs a treatment if it's not painful? is it just disappear on it's own? how long it takes?