A scan is one part of the picture
Disc changes can appear in people without pain. A scan finding alone does not establish what is causing your symptoms.
DISC-RELATED BACK PAIN CARE
Disc bulge & disc-related back pain treatment in Melbourne
Understand the finding.
Get help with the pain.
Know what to do next.
Been told you have a disc bulge, herniated disc or “slipped disc”? Premier’s physiotherapists and osteopaths assess back and leg symptoms in Brunswick, Fitzroy North and Thornbury. We explain the findings and connect appropriate hands-on treatment with a written plan and rehabilitation.
Book back pain assessmentNew to Premier? Choose Physiotherapy or Osteopathy, then a New Patient appointment. Add your back or leg symptoms and any existing diagnosis in the booking notes.
Need help choosing? Call 03 9481 779440,000patients served
20 yearsin the community
30 expertsacross Premier
One teambehind your care
MAKE SENSE OF THE WORDS
Disc bulge. Herniation. “Slipped disc”.
What does it mean for you?
Discs are cushions between the bones of your spine. A bulge describes a change in a disc’s outline. Herniation or protrusion describes disc material extending beyond its usual boundary. These terms need to be understood alongside your symptoms and examination.
“Slipped disc” is everyday language
It does not mean the whole disc has slipped out of place. Treatment is not about pushing a disc back in.
Leg symptoms deserve attention
A disc problem can irritate a nearby nerve and cause leg symptoms. Explore our sciatica assessment and treatment page for pain travelling into the buttock or leg.
Bring any existing reports and tell us about changes in feeling, strength, sleep, work or walking. You do not need to arrange a new scan before booking.
When to seek urgent care: New bladder or bowel changes, numbness around the groin or bottom, or severe or worsening leg weakness need urgent medical assessment. Call 000 in an emergency. Do not wait for a routine appointment. Healthdirect spinal disc guidance.
TREATMENT BUILT AROUND YOUR PRESENTATION
Help with the pain.
A plan for the movements you need.
A painful workday, an interrupted night or uncertainty about lifting can make it hard to know what to do. Your assessment helps us select suitable care and identify when medical review should take priority.
Assessment and explanation
Discuss how symptoms began, previous care and your goals. We assess relevant movement, strength and nerve signs and explain the findings in plain language.
Hands-on care and practical advice
Suitable soft-tissue treatment or joint mobilisation may form part of your care. Your practitioner checks comfort and consent and discusses ways to manage sitting, lifting or daily activity.
Rehabilitation and progress reviews
Practise exercises selected for your starting ability. Your written plan and documented reviews guide progression. Clinical Pilates and strength and conditioning are included when clinically required.
This care connects with the Premier Back Pain Reset Protocol: Assess, Treat, Rebuild, Strengthen and Return. Your clinician recommends the stages you need.
Book back pain assessmentPEOPLE WHO CAN HELP
Meet your back pain treatment team
Compare the team by clinic and the activities you want to get back to. You do not need to choose a treatment technique or diagnose yourself before booking.
James Parry
Physiotherapist · Brunswick
Low back pain affecting work, everyday movement or running. Combines hands-on care with exercise rehabilitation and practical guidance.
Meet James
Milly
Physiotherapist · Thornbury
New or ongoing low back pain, including work-related symptoms. Combines hands-on physiotherapy, movement retraining and exercise rehabilitation.
Meet Milly
Gemma Danks
Osteopath · Brunswick
Back pain, desk-related discomfort and movement rehabilitation. Combines hands-on osteopathic treatment with practical advice and exercise.
Meet Gemma
Yash Patel
Physiotherapist · Fitzroy North
Back pain, persistent or complex pain and rebuilding confidence after injury. Combines hands-on care with exercise rehabilitation and practical movement advice.
Meet Yash
Tegan Edmonds
Osteopath · Thornbury
Back pain, desk-related discomfort and persistent movement concerns. Uses soft-tissue techniques, joint mobilisation and exercise selected around your symptoms.
Meet Tegan
Darren Cheah
Physiotherapist · Fitzroy North
Lower back pain and returning to exercise. Brings gym and strength experience to hands-on care, exercise rehabilitation and return-to-activity planning.
Meet DarrenPrefer help choosing? Call 03 9481 7794. Tell reception your symptoms, preferred clinic and whether you are looking for physiotherapy or osteopathy. They can help match you with the team and current availability.
GOOGLE REVIEWS
Hear from people who chose Premier.
PREMIER BRUNSWICK
★★★★★
From 448 Google reviews.
Read Brunswick reviews on GoogleGOOGLE REVIEW EXCERPT
“...really impressed with his knowledge, professionalism, and approach to treatment.”Melvin Chang
Premier Brunswick · Google review
GOOGLE REVIEW EXCERPT
“Great mix of friendly and professional”Hugo Lumsdaine
Premier Brunswick · Google review
Selected care and service excerpts from Premier Brunswick Google reviews. Rating and count checked 17 October 2026.
Choose a clinic near you
Book online: select new or existing patient, choose your clinic, then Physiotherapy or Osteopathy and your practitioner. New patients start with a New Patient appointment. If you have not visited for six months, follow the Re-Exam guidance on the booking page. Add “Back Pain Reset”, your back symptoms and main activity goal in the booking notes. You are booking an assessment and treatment appointment; your practitioner recommends any further stages after assessing you.
Disc-related back pain: your questions
Can you help if my scan says disc bulge or herniated disc?
Book an assessment and bring any existing reports. We consider the report alongside your symptoms, movement and relevant nerve signs, then explain the treatment or medical review we recommend.
Do I need a new MRI before booking?
You do not need to arrange a new MRI yourself before your appointment. Bring existing reports. Your practitioner will discuss imaging or medical review when indicated.
Can hands-on treatment put a slipped disc back in?
No. Hands-on care is selected to support comfort and movement where appropriate. We do not describe it as pushing a disc back into place.
What happens at the first appointment?
Your physiotherapist or osteopath discusses your history and goals, assesses the presentation and explains the findings. Appropriate treatment can begin with your consent, alongside a written plan for what to do next.
Will I have to do Pilates or strength training?
Clinical Pilates and strength and conditioning are recommended when clinically required. Your plan reflects your symptoms, goals, starting ability and response, with documented progress reviews.
What if pain travels down my leg?
Tell us about pain, tingling, numbness or weakness. Relevant nerve signs form part of the assessment. New bladder or bowel changes, numbness around the groin or bottom, or severe or worsening leg weakness need urgent medical care.
Do all disc problems need surgery?
No. Many people are managed without surgery. The appropriate next step depends on your symptoms and examination; your practitioner will explain when medical or specialist assessment is needed.
Which appointment should I choose?
Choose Physiotherapy or Osteopathy at your preferred Premier clinic, then your practitioner and appointment type. New patients select New Patient. If you have not visited for six months, follow the Re-Exam guidance. Call reception if you are unsure.
Explore the care that fits your symptoms
For a new flare-up or recurring lower back pain, explore our main back pain treatment and Reset Protocol page. For pain travelling into the leg, read about sciatica care.
Compare physiotherapy and osteopathy, or learn about Clinical Pilates at Premier when clinically required as part of rehabilitation.
Get help with your symptoms.
Know your next step.
Start with an assessment, appropriate treatment and a written plan for your back or leg symptoms.
Book back pain assessmentFitzroy North · Brunswick · Thornbury
Need help choosing? Call 03 9481 7794.
UNDERSTAND RELATED CONDITIONS
Different findings. A plan matched to you.
Back symptoms can have different contributors. These guides explain the distinctions and when medical review forms part of the pathway.
Osteoarthritis and spinal arthritis
Lumbar spinal stenosis
Spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis
SI joint pain
Low bone density has its own care pathway: osteoporosis and osteopenia exercise support. New back pain with osteoporosis needs medical assessment for possible fracture.
Patient information: Better Health Channel: back pain and disc problems · Healthdirect: spinal disc problems. Updated 17 October 2026.