text: herniated disc help? my husband has a very painful herniated disc, for about 6 months he has been to physical therapy and got a little relief but they discharged him. he is now going to be going to a chiropractor does anyone have any advice, i don't know if surgery is where we will end up hi 'error'.  i am a retired chiropractor.  i have treated many patients with hernited discs.  many responded to chiropractic treatment and a few did not.  usually patients that did not respond to chiropractic care eventually improved with appropriate surgery.    what has the chiropractor told you and your husband?  how has the herniated disc been diagnosed - mri? ct?  what level of the spine is involved?  how large is the herniation?  are there any additional spinal conditions that might worsen the problem (e.g. spinal canal stenosis or lateral recess stenosis)?  these types of issues help predict treatment success and/or the need for surgery.  what are your husband's symtoms?  back pain only?  leg pain?  leg pain only?  are there any signs of neurologic damage?  change in reflexes?  muscle weakness?  muscle atrophy (wasting)?  again, these issues help predict likelyhood of treatment success.  lastly, if treatment is likely to help, some improvement should be seen within 3-4 weeks. of course, if there is improvement, continuing treatment to maximum improvement can take many months.  however, ongoing treatment without any significant improvement, month after month, with the hopes that 'in time' it will help, is not realistic.  oops, one more point, if chiropractic treatment is unsuccessful for your husband, referral for a neurological consult should be the next step.  at that point you want to see a neurologist and not a surgeon.  neurologists specialize in diagnosis.  they will not be motivated by 'surgical dollars' to prescribe surgery.  while a surgeon would perform the surgery (note: spinal surgery should only be performed by a neurosurgeon - someone who specializes in spinal surgery), sadly, some surgeons never see a patient (with good insurance, of course) that doesn't need surgery.  good luck with chiropractic.  it often works wonders.  but if surgery is needed, be sure to find the best.  p.s. if you want to answer the questions i have listed here, i will check back and give your further feedback.