Contrary to what you might think, herniated disc (slipped disc) does not always cause back pain, it can manifest in other areas. However, back pain can still be a sign you have a herniated disc.

You can also have a herniated disc without symptoms. Sometimes it is hard to identify the source of disease when no symptoms show. The most distinctive sign of herniated disc in lumbar spine (lower back) is pain that radiates from your lower back into the buttocks, back or side of your thigh and calf. Healthcare professional often called this as lumbar radiculopathy or sciatica. It can range from a mild ache to sharp, severe pain, or intensify when you cough, sneeze or move into certain positions. You can also get numbness, tingling, and weakness in your leg or foot.

When a disc herniates, it might put pressure on the nerves around it. This can cause a lot of pain especially if it happens to be the sciatic nerve. Sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body. It starts in your lower back and splits to run through your hips, buttocks, legs and feet on both sides.

If you are unexpectedly stumbling or become clumsier, it could be a sign of a herniated disc.