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The pain from a slipped disk is likely to get better on its own.

In 9 out of 10 cases, the pain from a slipped disk gets better on its own.¹ But getting better can take awhile. It can be hard to wait if you're in a lot of pain and can't move normally.

Most people find that the pain gets a lot better after a few weeks. Two-thirds of people find that their slipped disk gets better within six months, without surgery.¹

But if you're in a lot of pain, you may be worried about how you're going to manage to get to work, do your job, or take care of your house and family. You may want to feel better more quickly. Or you may be worried that you could get dependent on the painkillers you need in order to function.

Being in constant pain can make you feel depressed or irritable. This can affect your relationships. You may feel tired and lose your appetite, and you may lose weight.²

Surgery may help with the pain, but a slipped disk usually gets better on its own.^{1 3} Bear in mind that even though a slipped disk can hurt a lot, it's not usually harmful or dangerous.

If your back is hurting because of a slipped disk, you need to be careful not to make it worse. Avoid lifting heavy things, and try not to strain or bend over. Try to keep your balance and move around with reasonable care.

Surgery can help some people recover from the pain of a slipped disk.¹ But it is not right for everyone. There are risks and there can be problems later. Doctors call these extra problems complications.

Between 4 and 20 out of 100 people who have surgery need to have a repeat operation at some point.⁴ And although surgery may give fast pain relief, after about a year the results of an operation aren't any better than the results of other kinds of treatments.⁴

If you get good care for your slipped disk that includes physical therapy, encouragement and help getting back to work, and input from a psychologist, you may do better with treatments that do not involve surgery.⁴

There are different kinds of surgery for a slipped disk. They don't all work equally well. To read more about surgery, see What treatments work for a slipped disk?

Even after your back pain and sciatica have completely cleared up, you may get these problems again. Sometimes it's because the damaged nerve root gets inflamed or irritated again, or the same disk gets damaged, or there are problems with another disk. This can happen whether you've had surgery or not.

Some people seem to cope better with pain than others. This may be because they have support from friends or family. Or it may depend on how they feel about their physical problems.

If you're in pain for a long time, there are special clinics that can help you. If you learn ways to deal with pain more successfully, you have a chance to lead a more active life. Ask your doctor if there is a pain clinic in your area.

It's best to talk to your doctor if your back pain is making you feel down. He or she may be able to reassure you. You can also get advice from your doctor about how to take care of your back. Many doctors now advise that if you have back pain, the best thing you can do is to stay active.

Slipped disks are not generally dangerous. But the same symptoms can occasionally be the sign of a more serious problem.⁵ To learn more, see What are the symptoms of a slipped disk?

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.