Terry Back on His Bike After Disc Bulge and Sciatica

Terry came to us with sciatica caused by a disc bulge that had put a stop to his cycling. Like many patients, he'd tried other treatments first without getting back to the activities he loved. Treatment at Spine Plus changed that.

Disc Bulge and Sciatica

A disc bulge occurs when the outer wall of an intervertebral disc deforms, pressing on adjacent nerve roots. When it affects the lower lumbar spine, the most common result is sciatica: pain, numbness, or tingling radiating down the leg. For cyclists, the combination of sustained spinal flexion and repetitive loading can both cause and aggravate disc problems.

Treatment Approach

Treatment for disc-related sciatica at Spine Plus typically combines IDD spinal decompression to address the disc directly, manual therapy to relieve muscle tension around the affected segment, and targeted core strengthening to stabilise the spine during recovery. For cyclists, we also assess riding position and biomechanics to prevent recurrence.

If sciatica or a disc problem is keeping you off your bike or out of your favourite sport, call us on 020 8506 1000.