# Kinesitherapy for a herniated disc - Web page: https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/kinesitherapy/kinesitherapy-for-disc-herniation/ - Category: [Kinesitherapy](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/kinesitherapy.md) - Price: €40.00 - Duration: 60 min - Sessions: about 5 - How often: 2–3 a week - Bring: MRI or CT scan - Address: 10 Popovo Street, Lozenets, Sofia, 1409 - Opening hours: Mon - Fri | 9:00 - 19:00 - Phone: +359 886 750 462 - WhatsApp: +359 886 750 462 - Viber: +359 886 750 462 - Book online: https://superdoc.bg/lekar/kaloyan-zarkov - Booking page: https://kainezitherapy.com/en/appointments/ Herniated disc treatment without surgery, in the lower back or neck: kinesitherapy with exercise and manual therapy for less pain and freer movement. ![Kinesitherapist working on the lower back with his hands](https://kainezitherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/disc-hernia-2-1024x765.webp) A herniated disc (slipped disc) happens when part of the disc between the vertebrae pushes out and presses on or irritates a nerve. That is why the pain is often not only in the lower back: it can run down the leg, and with a herniated disc in the neck, down the arm. In most people the pain settles over time, even without surgery. Kinesitherapy (treatment with exercise and manual therapy) is the main part of herniated disc treatment without surgery: it helps the pain ease faster and makes it less likely to come back. ## What to expect The first session starts with a conversation: how long you’ve had the pain, where exactly it is, which positions make it worse and which make it better. Bring your MRI or CT scan, if you have one. Kaloyan watches how you move, checks the strength, reflexes and sensation in your leg or arm, and looks for the movements that relieve the pain. At first, when the pain is strong, the aim is to calm it down. Kaloyan uses manual therapy and the McKenzie method, with gentle movements and positions that reduce the pressure on the nerve. When the pain is milder, the work moves on to exercises for the deep muscles of the abdomen and back and for the mobility of the spine. You will also learn how to sit, bend and lift without bringing the pain on. Most patients come 2–3 times a week. You usually need about 5 sessions, or more if the pain is stubborn. The pain often eases after about 2 sessions, and the rest are for maintenance. Between sessions you do a short programme at home. It is as important as the work at the practice. ## What it helps with - A herniated disc or disc bulge (protrusion) in the lower back (lumbar) - A herniated disc in the neck (cervical) with pain or numbness in the arm - Pain that runs down the back or side of the leg (sciatica) - Lower back pain that keeps coming back - Stiffness and fear of movement after an attack of severe pain - Recovery after herniated disc surgery, once your surgeon allows it ## Who it’s for - Your MRI shows a herniated disc and you want to try without surgery. - Lower back pain wakes you at night or stops you sitting for long. - You have sciatica and can’t walk or stand for long. - Your doctor has recommended kinesitherapy. - The pain has gone, but you want to lower the risk of another attack. ## When to see a doctor first - You can’t control your bladder or bowels, or you have numbness in the groin area. You need to see a doctor urgently. - Your leg is getting weaker quickly, for example your foot “drops” when you walk or you can’t stand on your toes. - The pain comes with a fever or unexplained weight loss. - The pain started after a fall or a blow. ## Conditions it helps with - [Cervical spondylosis](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/conditions/neck/cervical-osteochondrosis/) - [Herniated disc](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/conditions/back/disc-herniation/) - [Sciatica](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/conditions/back/sciatica/) Performed by ## Kaloyan Zarkov, kinesitherapist - Kinesitherapy degree, NSA “Vassil Levski” - 10+ years of practice [About us](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/about/) ## Frequently asked questions ### Can a herniated disc be treated without surgery? Yes, in most cases. The pain from a herniated disc usually eases over time, and kinesitherapy helps that happen faster. Surgery is considered when weakness in the leg keeps getting worse or the pain doesn’t ease after months of proper treatment. ### Do I need an MRI to start? Not necessarily. Kaloyan can start without scans, after he has examined you. If there are signs that you need a scan or should see a neurologist, he will tell you. ### How many sessions do I need? Usually about 5, at 2–3 a week. With acute pain, relief often comes after about 2 sessions, and the rest are for maintenance. With chronic pain it takes longer. ### Will you “put it back in”? No. A herniated disc can’t be pushed back into place by hand. Kaloyan uses manual therapy to reduce the pain and ease movement, but the real change comes from the exercises and from how you move. ### Can I exercise or play sport with a herniated disc? In most cases, yes, once the acute pain has passed. Kaloyan will tell you which movements to avoid for now and how to return to sport gradually. ### Should I lie down while it hurts? Not for long. A short rest in the first days is normal, but staying in bed for long usually slows recovery. Keep moving within what the pain allows. ## More in Kinesitherapy [All services in Kinesitherapy](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/kinesitherapy/) - [Kinesitherapy for injuries](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/kinesitherapy/kinesitherapy-for-injuries/) · 60 min · €40.00 · Rehabilitation after a fracture or injury in Lozenets: hands-on mobilisation after a cast, exercise and devices; also sprains, dislocations, frozen shoulder. - [Post-operative rehabilitation](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/kinesitherapy/post-operative-rehabilitation/) · 60 min · €40.00 · Rehabilitation after surgery on the knee, shoulder or hip, or after a fracture: exercise and manual therapy that follow your surgeon’s instructions. - [Pre-operative rehabilitation](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/kinesitherapy/pre-operative-rehabilitation/) · 60 min · €40.00 · Prehab, or rehabilitation before surgery: exercises that strengthen your muscles and prepare the joint, so you recover more easily afterwards. - [Kinesitherapy for nerve pain (neuralgia)](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/kinesitherapy/kinesitherapy-for-neuralgia/) · 60 min · €40.00 · Sciatica and nerve pain treatment with kinesitherapy: we find where the nerve is trapped and use movement and manual therapy to ease the pain. - [Corrective exercises](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/kinesitherapy/corrective-gymnastics/) · 60 min · €40.00 · Posture correction exercises for children and adults with scoliosis, kyphosis and poor posture: sessions at the practice and a short home programme. - [Kinesio taping (one area)](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/kinesitherapy/kinesio-taping/) · 20 min · €25.00 · Kinesio taping in Sofia for one area, such as the knee, shoulder or ankle: an elastic tape that supports the joint and muscles without limiting movement. - [Stroke rehabilitation](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/kinesitherapy/stroke-rehabilitation/) · 60 min · €40.00 · Stroke rehabilitation at the practice in Lozenets or at home: PNF, massage and exercises for strength, balance and walking, with gradual loading. ## Want to improve your health? Get in touch for a personal consultation. [Book an appointment](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/appointments/) [+359 886 750 462](tel:+359886750462)