Herniated Disc Treatment in Hialeah

Non-surgical care for herniated and bulging discs with Dr. Michael Erdman, fellowship-trained in interventional spine and pain

A herniated disc can cause back or neck pain, and pain, numbness or weakness that travels down a leg or arm. The good news is that many disc problems get better without surgery.

At the Institute of Regenerative Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (IROSM), Dr. Michael Erdman at IROSM in Hialeah reviews your symptoms and MRI, explains what the disc is doing, and builds a plan that may include therapy, medicine and guided injections. Se habla español.

Book Your Appointment Now: (954) 751-6990 Make an Inquiry Online

Important Notice from IROSM: Your treatment plan is made for you by Dr. Michael Erdman. After an exam at IROSM in Hialeah, he will tell you which option fits your disc problem, including when a surgical opinion is the better choice.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

Between the bones of your spine are soft, round discs that act like cushions. Each disc has a tough outer ring and a soft, jelly-like center. In a herniated disc, some of the soft center pushes out through a tear in the outer ring. In a bulging disc, the disc spreads outward more evenly without a tear.

If the disc presses on or irritates a nearby nerve, it can cause pain that travels down the leg (sciatica) or arm. Disc problems are most common in the lower back and neck, and often come from lifting, twisting, a fall or wear over time.

Herniated Disc Symptoms

Low back or neck pain
Pain that travels down the buttock and leg, or down the arm
Numbness, tingling or pins and needles
Weakness in the leg, foot, arm or hand
Pain that is worse with sitting, bending, coughing or sneezing

Go to the emergency room for numbness in the groin or inner thighs, loss of bladder or bowel control, or weakness that is quickly getting worse.

A disc is one cause of nerve pain. See pinched nerve treatment in Hialeah and sciatica and nerve pain treatment in Hialeah.

How a Herniated Disc Is Diagnosed

Dr. Erdman asks where the pain travels and checks your strength, feeling and reflexes. Simple tests, such as raising your straight leg, can show an irritated nerve. An MRI shows the disc and nerves and is usually ordered when pain spreads down a limb, when there is weakness, or before an injection.

Disc changes are also common on MRI in people without pain, so the scan is always matched with your symptoms and exam.

Herniated Disc Treatment Options in Hialeah

Many people with a herniated disc improve with non-surgical care. Options at IROSM in Hialeah may include:

Staying active: gentle walking and movement, while avoiding heavy lifting for a while.
Therapy: exercises for the core and back, and nerve gliding exercises.
Medicine: short-term anti-inflammatory or nerve pain medicine, if safe for you, with a focus on avoiding opioids.
Epidural steroid injections: steroid medicine placed near the irritated nerve with image guidance. See lumbar epidural injections.
Selective nerve root blocks: a targeted injection at one nerve root that can ease pain and help confirm the source.

Not every treatment is right for everyone, and results vary. Dr. Erdman will tell you at your visit which options fit you. If weakness is getting worse or pain does not ease with good non-surgical care, a surgical opinion may be the better choice, and he will help with a referral.

For neck disc pain, see our neck pain doctor in Hialeah. For back pain without leg symptoms, see our back pain doctor in Hialeah.

What the Research Says About Herniated Discs

Many herniated discs shrink on their own: A review of 31 studies looked at repeat MRI scans in people treated without surgery. Larger herniations, where disc material has pushed out or broken off, shrank in 70% to 96% of cases. Smaller bulges shrank less often, in 13% to 41% of cases. Chiu CC, et al. The probability of spontaneous regression of lumbar herniated disc: a systematic review. Clin Rehabil. 2015;29(2):184-195. View the study.
Surgery compared with non-surgical care: A review of studies comparing disc surgery with non-surgical care for sciatica found that surgery eased leg pain faster, but the difference got smaller over time. Liu C, et al. Surgical versus non-surgical treatment for sciatica: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ. 2023;381:e070730. View the study.

Herniated Disc Treatment in Hialeah

Providing herniated and bulging disc care to residents of Hialeah, Miami Lakes, Miami Springs, Hialeah Gardens, Doral, and Miami-Dade County. Dr. Erdman also sees patients at our Fort Lauderdale office. Se habla español.

Institute of Regenerative Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (IROSM)
777 E 25th St, Suite 508
Hialeah, FL 33013
Phone: (954) 751-6990

Frequently Asked Questions About Herniated Discs

Can a herniated disc heal without surgery?

Many can. Studies with repeat MRI scans show that many herniated discs shrink over time, and many people's pain improves with non-surgical care. Dr. Erdman explains when a surgical opinion makes sense.

What is the difference between a herniated and a bulging disc?

In a herniated disc, some of the soft center pushes out through a tear in the outer ring. In a bulging disc, the disc spreads outward more evenly. Either can press on a nerve.

Do I need an MRI for a herniated disc?

An MRI is usually ordered when pain spreads down a leg or arm, when there is weakness, or before an injection. It is always matched with your symptoms and exam.

Can an epidural help a herniated disc?

An epidural steroid injection can calm an irritated nerve and ease leg or arm pain for some people. It does not remove the disc, and relief varies. It is meant to be used as part of a plan with therapy.

Are PRP or stem cell injections used for discs?

Research on PRP and cell-based injections for disc problems is still early. Dr. Erdman can explain whether any regenerative option fits your case.

Does Dr. Erdman speak Spanish?

Yes. Dr. Erdman speaks English and Spanish, so you can talk about your care in the language you prefer. Se habla español.

Do I need a referral to be seen at IROSM?

It depends on your insurance. Many HMO, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid plans need a referral from your primary care doctor before you see a specialist. Please check with your plan, or call us at (954) 751-6990 before your visit to confirm.

Find Out What Your Disc Is Doing

Board-certified · Fellowship-trained in interventional spine and pain · Fort Lauderdale & Hialeah

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Michael Erdman at IROSM in Hialeah for an exam, an MRI review and a clear plan. Same-week appointments are usually available. Se habla español.

Book Your Appointment Now: (954) 751-6990 Make an Inquiry Online

Medically reviewed by: Dr. Michael Erdman
Institute: Institute of Regenerative Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (IROSM)
Last reviewed: September 2026

Disclaimer: This content is for general educational purposes and does not constitute formal medical advice. Individual patient outcomes will vary. Herniated disc treatment at IROSM in Hialeah requires a clinical examination by Dr. Michael Erdman to establish candidacy. Serving Hialeah, Miami Lakes, Miami Springs, Hialeah Gardens, Doral, and surrounding Miami-Dade County communities.

Herniated Disc Treatment in Hialeah

What Is a Herniated Disc?

Herniated Disc Symptoms

How a Herniated Disc Is Diagnosed

Herniated Disc Treatment Options in Hialeah

What the Research Says About Herniated Discs

Herniated Disc Treatment in Hialeah

Frequently Asked Questions About Herniated Discs

Can a herniated disc heal without surgery?

What is the difference between a herniated and a bulging disc?

Do I need an MRI for a herniated disc?

Can an epidural help a herniated disc?

Are PRP or stem cell injections used for discs?

Does Dr. Erdman speak Spanish?

Do I need a referral to be seen at IROSM?

Find Out What Your Disc Is Doing

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