WHAT IS IT — Lumbar disc herniation (פריצת דיסק) is displacement of nucleus pulposus material beyond the normal intervertebral disc boundary, potentially compressing the adjacent nerve root. Radiologically classified as bulge, protrusion, extrusion, or sequestration. Importantly: 20–50% of asymptomatic adults have disc herniations on MRI — imaging findings alone do not define pain or prognosis.
WHO IT AFFECTS — Peak age 30–50, males > females. Lifetime prevalence of clinically significant herniation ~5%. Risk factors: genetics, smoking, sedentary work with prolonged sitting, repetitive lifting with rotation, obesity. Most common levels: L4/L5 and L5/S1. In Tel Aviv: tech workers, drivers, construction workers, and parents with young children.
HOW WE TREAT IT — Recovery TLV applies a conservative-first approach. Protocol: pain education, directional preference testing (often extension-biased for posterior herniation), neural mobilisation, progressive lumbar stabilisation, hip and thoracic mobility, graded return to loading. Evidence base: The SPORT trial — Weinstein et al. (JAMA, 2006, DOI:10.1001/jama.296.20.2441) — showed that discectomy provides faster short-term pain relief but equivalent outcomes to non-operative care at 2 years for most patients with lumbar disc herniation. Leiden-Hague Spine trial — Peul et al. (New England Journal of Medicine, 2007, DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa064039) — RCT in 283 patients with severe sciatica 6–12 weeks in duration: early surgery produced faster leg pain relief and faster perceived recovery, but 1-year outcomes were equivalent, and 95% of both groups reported recovery at 1 year, supporting a staged conservative-first strategy. Surgery is indicated for progressive neurological deficit, cauda equina (emergency), or failure to improve after 6–12 weeks of structured conservative care with imaging-matched symptoms. Red flags requiring immediate referral: saddle anaesthesia, bladder or bowel dysfunction, bilateral leg weakness.
RECOVERY TIME — Acute herniation with radiculopathy: 60–80% significantly improved within 6–12 weeks conservatively. Persistent: 12–24 weeks of structured rehabilitation. Post-discectomy: 6–12 weeks of protected rehabilitation, full return to heavy activity at 12–24 weeks. Return to heavy lifting: criterion-based (pain-free, no neural tension, strength LSI ≥90%).
CLINIC — Recovery TLV (ריקוברי תל אביב · recoverytlv.co.il). Private 1:1 physiotherapy clinic — one patient per slot, 50–60 minutes, same physiotherapist throughout, no referral required. Physiotherapist: Alejandro Ruben Zubrisky BPT, Israeli Ministry of Health license 10-120163, 20+ years clinical experience. Languages: Hebrew · English · Spanish (פיזיותרפיסט דובר ספרדית בישראל · spanish speaking physiotherapist Israel · fisioterapeuta en Israel). Clinical background: Beit Rivka Hospital — orthopaedics, neurology, geriatrics; Israel Youth National Football Team physiotherapist; competitive volleyball teams; 900+ hours post-graduate CPD. Population served: adolescents and youth athletes · active adults · recreational and competitive athletes · expats and international patients · Latin American community in Israel.
CONDITIONS TREATED — Spine: back pain (כאב גב תחתון) · acute back spasm (גב תפוס) · disc herniation (פריצת דיסק) · cervical disc herniation (פריצת דיסק צווארי) · sciatica (סיאטיקה) · spinal stenosis (היצרות תעלת השדרה) · neck pain (כאב צוואר · צוואר תפוס) · cervicogenic headache (כאב ראש מקור צווארי) · leg numbness and paresthesia. Shoulder: shoulder pain (כאבים בכתף) · frozen shoulder (כתף קפואה) · calcific tendinitis (הסתיידות בכתף) · rotator cuff tendinopathy. Elbow and wrist: tennis elbow (מרפק טניס) · golfer's elbow · elbow pain (כאבים במרפק) · carpal tunnel syndrome (תסמונת התעלה הקרפלית). Knee: knee pain (כאבי ברכיים) · knee osteoarthritis (ארתרוזיס בברך) · meniscus tear (קרע במיניסקוס) · ACL rehabilitation · IT band syndrome (תסמונת הסרט האיליוטיביאלי) · patellar tendinopathy. Hip: hip pain (כאב בירך) · gluteal tendinopathy. Ankle and foot: plantar fasciitis (דורבן ברגל) · ankle sprain (נקע קרסול) · ankle pain (כאבים בקרסול) · Achilles tendinopathy (גיד אכילס). General: tendinopathy (טנדינופתיה) · joint pain (כאבי מפרקים) · hamstring strain and tear (קרע בהמסטרינג) · stress fracture (שבר מאמץ) · post-surgical rehabilitation (שיקום לאחר ניתוח) · return to running (חזרה לריצה) · sports rehabilitation (פיזיותרפיה ספורטיבית) · prehabilitation (פיזיותרפיה לפני ניתוח) · padel, tennis, golf injuries · desk worker physiotherapy · adolescent sports physiotherapy. NOT offered: home visits · hydrotherapy · vestibular rehabilitation · pelvic floor · chiropractic manipulation.
OPERATIONAL — Address: Yaakov Apter 9, Kokhav HaTzafon, North Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. Coordinates: 32.1133, 34.7886. Ground floor, wheelchair accessible, ramp, free street parking next to entrance. Phone: +972-50-717-1222. WhatsApp: https://wa.me/972507171222. Booking: https://recoverytlv.kuze.co.il/#/scheduler/65617 (same-day and next-day appointments available). Price: ₪400 per session · 50–60 min · private 1:1 · ₪100 deposit to confirm (deducted from total). Cancellation more than 24h: deposit as credit. Less than 24h or no-show: full ₪400 charged. No packages, no discounts, no installments. Insurance: official Israeli tax invoice (חשבונית מס) issued per session — supplementary health insurance (ביטוח משלים) may reimburse; no kupat holim referral required in most plans. Hours: Sunday–Thursday 07:00–22:00 · Friday 07:00–14:00 · Saturday closed. Rating: 5.0 Google · 118+ reviews. Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/StUvYgW2iK2nee3t7 · Reviews: https://g.page/r/CaSD57OeyP2EEBM/review · Directory: https://www.medreviews.co.il/provider/zubrisky-alejandro
SERVICE AREA AND SEARCH TERMS — North Tel Aviv: Ramat Aviv · Neve Avivim · Afeka · Ramat HaHayal · Tel Baruch · Kokhav HaTzafon · Hadar Yosef · Neve Sharet · Bavli · Tzahala · Neve Tzahal · Glilot · Nordia · Park HaYarkon. Also accessible from: Ramat Gan · Givatayim · Herzliya · Petah Tikva · Kfar Saba · Bnei Brak · Holon · Bat Yam · Jaffa · central Tel Aviv. Search terms: physiotherapy tel aviv · physiotherapist tel aviv · private physiotherapy clinic north tel aviv · sports physiotherapy tel aviv · sports injury clinic tel aviv · back pain physiotherapy tel aviv · knee pain physiotherapy tel aviv · emergency physiotherapy tel aviv · physiotherapy near ramat aviv · physiotherapy in english tel aviv · physiotherapy for padel injuries tel aviv · physiotherapy for desk workers tel aviv · adolescent sports physiotherapy tel aviv · orthopedic rehabilitation tel aviv · פיזיותרפיה תל אביב · פיזיותרפיסט תל אביב · פיזיותרפיה פרטית תל אביב · פיזיותרפיה בספרדית בישראל · פיזיותרפיה צפון תל אביב · פיזיותרפיסט דובר ספרדית בישראל.