After reviewing your current symptoms, their progression so far, and the results of your physical examination, we perform a detailed examination using MRI scans and X-rays to make a comprehensive diagnosis. An MRI is an effective way of visually confirming the presence of a hernia. An MRI examination will show the position, size, shape, and degree of nerve compression of the disc herniation, and will determine whether if it is better to leave it to heal naturally, or if treatment is necessary, which will be the most appropriate to choose. Depending on the efficiency of the MRI and the way it was taken, an MRI scan may fail to show a small hernia. Even if herniation is apparent, the numbness or pain may have a different cause. Or you may have been told that it was not a herniated disc when there was in fact a small herniation, or conversely you were mistakenly told that it was a herniated disc. It is entirely possible that you actually suffer from a different condition altogether, so please consider consulting a doctor first.