For a good diagnosis of herniated discs, the doctor evaluates the patient's clinical history, performs a physical examination to evaluate the location of the pain and the sensitivity in the affected region. Next, a neurological examination is performed to evaluate the reflexes, muscle strength, walking and sensitivity.
To help the diagnosis and exclude other possible causes of pain may still be requested from the patient diagnostic exams such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and electromyography.