Exercise Therapy After Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 to 70 years. * MRI-confirmed lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. * Has received a caudal epidural steroid injection (CESI) within the past 2 weeks at Çankırı State Hospital. * Low-back or leg pain intensity ≥ 3 cm on a 10-cm Visual Analogue Scale after the injection. * Medically cleared for moderate aerobic and core-stabilisation exercise (no cardiac or orthopaedic contraindications). * Able to attend supervised physiotherapy three times per week for six weeks. * Willing and able to give written informed consent and to comply with study procedures. * Sufficient Turkish literacy (minimum primary-school education) to complete questionnaires. Exclusion Criteria: * Uncontrolled systemic disease (e.g., poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, active hepatitis C or other significant liver disease). * Neurological red flags such as myelopathy or cauda equina syndrome. * Previous lumbar spine surgery at the affected disc level. * Current pregnancy or planning pregnancy during the study period. * Severe musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, or respiratory condition that precludes safe exercise participation. * Use of systemic corticosteroids or opioid analgesics that cannot be stabilised for the duration of the trial. * Ongoing litigation or workers' compensation claim related to low-back pain. * Inability to communicate effectively with study staff or to follow instructions.