Conditions

Understanding Disc Pain

Disc pain arises from damage or degeneration of the intervertebral discs — the soft cushions that sit between the bones (vertebrae) of the spine. These discs act as shock absorbers, allowing flexibility and movement while protecting the spinal joints and nerves. When a disc becomes dehydrated, worn, or injured, it can lead to localised back or neck pain and, in some cases, irritation of nearby nerves causing radiating pain, numbness, or tingling into the limbs. Typical symptoms include:
  • Deep aching pain in the back or neck
  • Pain aggravated by sitting, bending, or lifting
  • Stiffness and reduced range of movement
  • Stiffness and reduced range of movement
  • Pain radiating into the leg (sciatica) or arm (brachialgia) if a nerve is compressed
Common causes include age-related wear (degenerative disc disease), disc bulge or herniation (slipped disc), repetitive strain, or trauma. Because disc pain can overlap with other spinal conditions such as facet or sacroiliac joint problems, accurate diagnosis by a spinal pain specialist is essential.
Wessex Pain Clinic

How We Diagnose

At Wessex Pain Clinic, diagnosis begins with a thorough review of your symptoms and medical history, followed by a detailed physical examination to assess spinal movement, posture, and neurological signs.

We may use MRI, or specialist nuclear medicine CT (SPECT) to identify and diagnose. In some cases, diagnostic injections such as discography may be used to confirm the exact source of pain. This targeted approach allows us to design a treatment plan specific to your needs.

Wessex Pain Clinic
Lifestyle and Complementary Therapies

Successful management depends on restoring movement and preventing recurrence. Our physiotherapy and rehabilitation specialists focus on improving spinal stability, posture, and flexibility. Hydrotherapy is often beneficial for gentle strengthening.

Our pain psychology partners provide support with pacing, mood, and pain coping strategies. We emphasise a multidisciplinary approach — integrating medical, physical, and psychological care for long-term recovery.

At Wessex Pain Clinic, we work as a team and meet regularly to discuss complex, treatment resistant or unusual cases. As such you will often receive the expertise of several pain consultants. We believe that we are one of very few pain clinics to offer this.

Medications

We may use a combination of:

  • Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) to reduce swelling and stiffness
  • Neuropathic pain agents (e.g. pregabalin, gabapentin, or duloxetine) for nerve-related pain
  • Muscle relaxants and short-term analgesics under consultant supervision


Medication plans are always tailored and reviewed regularly to optimise benefit and minimise side effects.

Interventional Procedures
When pain persists, we offer injections to target the source of pain. We also work closely with spinal surgeons, and will involve them if we feel a surgical opinion is required.
Our approach is comprehensive and individualised, addressing both the physical and neurological aspects of disc pain. Treatment often combines medical management, interventional pain procedures, physiotherapy, and psychological support.

Treatment at Wessex Pain Clinic

Treatments