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Herniated discs are very common, but they’re not always the true cause of back pain. Join Jesse Wallace, DC as he defines what a disc herniation is and why it’s misunderstood. He also explores the various treatment options available for resolving this condition.
The spine is made up of a series of connected bones called “vertebrae.” The vertebral disc is a combination of strong connective tissues which hold one vertebra to the next and acts as a cushion between the vertebrae. These discs are made of a tough outer layer called the “annulus fibrosus” and a gel-like center called the “nucleus pulposus.” When the nucleus pulposus bulges or ruptures, it can press on the various nerve roots in your spine and can cause pain, numbness, or muscle weakness in the arms or legs.
A herniated disc may also cause back pain, but back pain alone (without leg pain) can have many causes other than a herniated disc. This condition is often known as a bulging disc or slipped disc, but its medical term is “herniated nucleus pulposus,” or more commonly, a “herniated disc.”
Disc injuries can be separated into three categories:
The most common herniated disc cause is often natural disc degeneration over time. However, sometimes a traumatic or sudden movement, such as a fall or accident, can lead to a herniated disc. In addition, several lifestyle factors can increase your odds of suffering from a disc herniation, such as:
Due to the complex nature and anatomy of the spine, you might have a herniated disc without even knowing. Herniated disc symptoms can vary dramatically based on the severity of injury, as well as location within the spine. In addition, you may feel pain moderately or intensely and experience multiple symptoms at once, or little to none.
The cervical spine is made up of seven vertebrae in the neck. The cervical vertebrae give the neck its mobility. If you’re suffering from a cervical disc herniation, you’ll likely experience a few of these symptoms:
The thoracic spine consists of the 12 vertebrae of the mid back, below the cervical spine. It’s considered the most complex region of the spine since it is the only region where the vertebrae are also attached to the rib cage. Due to this specific location and structure, a thoracic disc herniation is likely to cause symptoms in the chest, abdomen, and mid back.
The lumbar spine is made up of five large vertebrae in the lower back. Because these vertebrae are more mobile than the others and will endure the most force from activities like lifting and jumping, they are also the most vulnerable to spinal and disc injuries.
If you’re experiencing back pain, or any of the symptoms describing a herniated disc, your doctor may perform a physical and neurological exam to check your reflexes, muscle strength, range of motion, and pain levels. If you’ve suffered from a back injury or have been experiencing chronic lower back pain, imaging tests may be used to find and diagnose the possible causes.
Conservative treatment is usually the first and best option for a bulging disc. Your doctor will likely suggest rest from physical activity, physical therapy, massage, and medications, such as NSAIDS or muscle relaxers, to treat your symptoms. For more severe and painful disc injuries, you may need steroid injections, ultrasound therapy, and surgery to help alleviate symptoms.
If left untreated, a herniated disc can worsen over time, leading to possible nerve damage or chronic back pain that may require more serious intervention. If you are suffering from a herniated disc, or experiencing any of the symptoms, consider Airrosti. At Airrosti, our Providers can help treat your pain, without the need of surgery or injections, in as little as 3 to 4 visits, based on patient-reported outcomes.
To learn more about Airrosti and what to expect on your first visit, click here. If you’re ready to begin your recovery and get back to living your life to the fullest, call (800) 404-6050 or schedule an appointment online today!
Reviewed by Casey Crisp, Doctor of Chiropractic
Disclaimer: Always consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program. If you experience any numbness, tingling or reproduction of your symptoms, please contact your doctor.
I came in more than a month back with a bad herniated disc, which radiated pain through my sciatic nerve as well. I could barely walk or move and was in pretty bad shape. Dr. St. Dizier was very warm and comforting and guided me as to what the problem was and what the solution would be. He helped me in each session by explaining the exercises I was to do and helped me understand the progress I had made as well. I found him to be very positive and encouraging. He patiently answered all the endless questions I had as well. I feel lucky to have been his patient, and I strongly recommend him and Airrosti to anybody who wants to get well soon and sustainably!
by Spruha Kamdar
I was really worried that I had a herniated disc that was causing severe low back pain. I had major spinal surgery 10 years ago so the thought of something going wrong terrified me. Dr. Jones understood my sense of urgency and got me in the next day. She pinpointed my pain right away and showed me on a chart what was going on with my body. She provided me with so much relief. She was very knowledgeable on the subject and assured me that Airrosti can help. After the first appointment, I felt so much better. I cried on my way home because I was so happy she helped me. She had great bedside manners and I loved her recovery assistant. I didn’t know where to begin to get relief but I am confident that Airrosti was the best decision I could...+ show moreve made.
by Haley Snell
Alfie Sundqvist, DC is a very kind person who helped me through a busted disc in my back. The therapy I received hurt at first, but by the end of the day, I felt a lot better. I felt like I could do anything right after. Alfie's care plan helped me a lot as well as the instructions he provided. I would recommend Airrosti to anyone.
by Latasha Ochiltree
I have a herniated disc in my back that has caused problems for years. Dr. Nguyen evaluated my mobility and helped me identify flexibility issues in my hips and legs that were aggravating my back problems. After a few weeks of working with her, I was able to walk and sit without pain.
by Walker Smart
A herniated disk on my spine along with carpal tunnel on my right hand and issues with my right upper arm has plagued me for years. Doctors have recommended surgery on my upper arm that would lead to rotator cuff surgery to resolve my shoulder issue. I have had epidural shots to relieve the back pain. Years ago when the back pain became unbearable, a P.A. offered only X-rays and suggested I had shingles. I was unable to walk and was placed on steroids. A friend recommended Airrosti. I was sent for an MRI and diagnosed with a herniated disk. I was in their offices twice a day for three days in the beginning and scaled back over the next two weeks. I was able to walk from the first visit. I left Texas and my pain returned. I attended yoga ...+ show moreclasses when able to. That got me through some pain. I returned to Texas during the pandemic and no longer had access to my pain management doctor. I reached out to Airrosti because of my past history with them and I knew they would take care of me with no medication. Dr. Amy Nguyen listened to me and knew how to help me. Gilberto Tremillo assisted in making sure the recommended exercises were done correctly. They were a tremendous help. I now have access to a link on the Airrosti website to review my recommended exercises and any future recommendations. Thank you Airrosti! Maria
by Maria Urbano
I almost don’t know where to begin. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that AIRROSTI has changed my life. And I’m not the review writing sort, but I OWE them at least my testimonial for what they’ve given >back< to me. Pun intended. To elaborate... I had a severe L5 disc herniation and a bulging/deteriorated L4 disc a little over two years ago... my neural surgeon (as well as my stepbrother who work in that specific field of radiology... I believe it’s radiology?) both said that my imaging indicated I would more than likely require surgery... as the months went on and I was able to start walking again, eventually jogging again, and then full-on running again I was improving in what I was able to do, but my pain had plateaue...+ show mored at roughly ever-present... some good days and some bad days. Never good sleep as I had to sleep on one side or the other and would have to repeatedly switch sides due to my hips shifting throughout the night. Anyway. I’ve been living with this pain for years. Always questioning which of my old athletic pursuits were out of reach... then I heard from a client of mine about AIRROSTI. Honestly, I was highly skeptical because of some of the controversy revolving around chiropractic these days... (to be clear they seem to use a mosh mash chiropractic, massage, and physical therapy... though I’m sure they can elaborate better). So I decided to give it a shot because I really didn’t want surgery while I found my circumstance painful and uncomfortable it was at least tolerable, and back surgery felt like a bit of roulette I wanted to avoid. I went into my first session (after having to reschedule obnoxiously due to my absurd personal life) and met Dr. Palm. He felt like a very warm and genuinely kind “soul”. Immediately put me at ease. After some preamble, we did some... stuff? I don’t know that you’d call it an adjustment, though it certainly was. It invoked pressing his hands into the sides of my lower abdomen and having me do some simple movements. There was a little discomfort and tension... Then he sent me off to a nice young gentleman (whose name escapes me... Jesse? My apologies to this gentleman who was exemplary) and I learned some exercises and stretches that would aid what I assumed would be more of the same long journey back. At this point I’ll keep it brief... the pain has been almost entirely gone since then. I’ve gone back twice to be evaluated... they only charged me for the first visit! The following evaluations they didn’t try to justify more work and therefore more money (somewhat concern about how SOME practices operate). I’m freaking blown away. I literally tear up when I consider the pain that I thought would always be an unwelcome companion... gone just like that. Anyway. I can’t thank them enough and I can’t recommend them hard enough. I can’t believe I was living with this pain for YEARS and it was wiped away in less than an hour in the caring and eminently competent hands of Dr. Palm and company at Airrosti.
by Vidal Ynosencio
I was so glad to hear out about Airrosti's program to hopefully find a solution to improve and rid myself of constant pain. I had herniated my L4 and L5 discs several years ago and have flare-ups constantly when lifting or doing too much. Add in computer work and stress levels from work, my shoulders and neck felt like there was a knife twisting and causing sharp pain in them. Between the injury and daily work, they both were flaring up, I was constantly in pain, irritable, and not sleeping well. When I first started participating in the exercises provided to me by Dr. Pavlich, I thought no way on some of them, but as I continued to push through I found how much they help me! I am no longer in constant pain and the stretches feel like I ...+ show morefinally have my body healing and lining back up the way it is meant to be. Plus I am not tossing and turning at night trying to get comfortable. I am so grateful and appreciative of Dr. Pavlich's knowledge to adjust and help design what works best for me. Thank you!!!
by Cynthia King
My right leg pain began about January of 2020. So I decided to visit Amy at her office for a consultation. I began multiple sessions of different exercises and massages. Amy was very helpful and attentive throughout the sessions. After 3 months or so, Amy suggested I would have to visit a specialist due to my continuing sciatic pain. I ended up going to multiple doctors and specialists for the next several months. Since I was in El Paso at that time, due to the pandemic, I still needed help, but couldn’t find anyone to do an MRI. All this time Amy continued to contact me and thanks to her, I was able to get someone to do an MRI after months of pain and finally surgery due to a herniated disc. But all this time, Amy continued to be in c...+ show moreontact with me to see how I was doing. It’s April 2021 and Amy still continues to be in contact to see how I’m doing. Amy Nguyen is a very caring and very good doctor in her sessions at her office. Very highly recommended.
by Tony Costilla
I started this program because I have a bulging disc and it was causing quite a bit of pain, often. I was taking 3-6 Ibuprofens a day and wanted to not only reduce the daily pain in my neck but also reduce or eliminate taking ibuprofen. Over the period of time I participated in this program; starting 1/19 (it has now been just less than 2.5 months), I do 15-25 minutes of stretching a day and it has helped significantly. Dr. Danisiewicz was patient and walked me through the exercises I was directed to do and changed them up as needed, over the treatment period. Our goal was to decrease the pain by at least 50% and we have exceeded that goal! The neck not only is not as painful, but there are fewer days I feel the pain, and I have not take...+ show moren any ibuprofen in several weeks! I am ecstatic with the results and plan to continue doing the exercises as needed to provide the relief I've obtained. Thank you Dr. Danisiewicz and Airrosti!
by Denise Gentile
I cannot say enough about Dr Christy and his staff. Over the past ten years he has treated me for herniated disks in my back, an old knee injury and plantar fasciitis, among other things. Dr Christy has always been great at explaining treatment options and helped manage my expectations in terms of results. He is very passionate about his field and it shows. I would not trust anyone else with my care or the care of my family when it comes to sports injuries. He and his staff are the best in the field!
by Justine McDaniel
I would highly recommend dr. Paul Unger to anyone with lower back pain L1 S5 disc problems when I went in to see him I could barely stand up straight much less stand and have a conversation with anyone for a short period of time and knowing the problems I have with my discs I am not willing to go see a chiropractor and let them pop my back a friend of mine recommended doctor unger with airrosti so I decided to give him a try on the first day I didn't feel any difference other than being sore from dr. Unger procedure so I was kind of hesitant and wondering if it was really going to work week 2 he spent a little more time on me and I started to feel a little better by week three I was really feeling good with very little pain week 4 all my...+ show more pain was gone 2 days after I seen him his process is painful but like all things in life you have to work for good results I would recommend him to my family and anyone I know very nice guy and so is Alex the physical therapist
by John Anderson
I just want to start off by saying I get back injection for my L1-S5 herniated disc problems when the problem occurs I can't even stand up straight much less stand up for 5 minutes without my sciatic nerve locking up my thigh and calf, or even feeling like I have a charley horse all day. This time it was going to take a month to get in to see the pain doctor to get a injection, so I spoke with a friend of mine he suggested using Airrosti. I told him there's no way I'm going to let someone pop my back knowing I have herniated discs he said they don't pop any bones they're not a chiropractor, so I gave Dr. Paul Unger in League City a chance. I won't say it's not painful, but once they find your trigger /pressure points he uses a lot of pre...+ show moressure to work out the kinks so if you can deal with a little pain he's the man for the job. I was feeling better after the first visit the following week I was feeling even better after the third week I was at 98%. This guy is great!
by John Anderson
I'm a Lupus patient that had ACDF of my L4, L5 on November 22, 2019, then I was scheduled to see Dr. Travis Owens for my rehab. On my first visit, I was very sore and in a lot of pain, but when I met Dr. Owens he assured me that everything was going to be alright, (I think he saw the fear in my eyes). Dr. Owens, I want you to know that I feel so much better and I'm doing GREAT. I want to Thank you for all of the amazing care that you and your team provided me. I truly appreciate all of the deep tissue messages along with the Best PT, manual therapy, rehab exercises, for repairing my connective tissues, decreasing my pain drastically, increasing my ROM, gave me back my strength, a fast recovery, being patient, and for listening to me whin...+ show moree and cry about my pain. Dr. Owens I don't think I would have been able to recover as fast and sufficiently without you and your team. I have also started back working out slowly and carefully and I owe it all to you. I will miss you all and Thank you for being such an Amazing and talented doctor, You are the BEST.
by Michelle Rush
I would highly recommend Dr. Burdsall and Airrosti. I have a herniated disc in my neck. I had a steroid shot, but was still feeling pain and tightness in my neck and shoulders. After only three appointments with Dr. Burdsall and Louie, I was pain free. The treatment was amazing and they gave me several exercises I could do on my own to strengthen my neck and shoulders. I really enjoyed working with them. They really care about their patients.
by Carolyn Mohr
I've had back issues for many years with a bulging disc (L4-L5) and chronic repeat episodes of low back pain. My normal habit was to go to an orthopedic doctor and get the 'trifecta' of muscle relaxants, pain pills, and anti-inflammatories.....and 10 or so days later I would be miraculously 'cured'. Only to have the same pain resurface months or a year later. My most recent episode occurred at a time when my ortho doctor didn't have appointment availability and I was desperate for relief. At the recommendation of others, I sought out the nearest Chiropractor to get an adjustment. Close to 8 visits later over the course of a couple of weeks I was close to a $grand$ poorer and not in much better shape for more than 2 days a time. Depresse...+ show mored and desperate I was open all suggestions. I was getting married in 3 weeks on the beach in Cancun and the thought of getting married and walking like a 90 year old hunched over like Quasimodo was so depressing. Then I was approached by a coworker who told me about Airrosti and how they were able to get relief 'long term' in just a few visits. I was desperate and hadn't been able to stand up straight for a week, so I decided that I would give them a shot. (with very little expectation) I called and set up an appointment and went to the Wilkerson Clinic location in Houston off of Campbell Rd. I was assessed by Dr. King and in less than 10 min of assessment movements and stretches she had identified the root cause of my current pain, corrected it, and was able to send me on my way standing taller than I had in weeks with the back pain going from 8 to 2. Went thru a few homework stretches next door with Morgan and the rest was up to me. I had two follow up visits for releasing my hip flexors and more exercises and today I am feeling better than I have in a long time with zero back pain. I left Airrosti with the knowledge of what I need to do to strengthen my own body to prevent the low back pain issues I was having as well as the knowledge that everyday habits and posture contribute to much more than we give credit. I also left with a much higher respect for the Chiropractic Providers in our medical field. The way I feel today is worth much more than the price of the sessions. But can you really put a price on being "Pain-Free?"
by Danny Fuller
Dr. Vick and her CRS Cera were extremely helpful and always enjoyable to visit. I came in with a soon to be diagnosed herniated disc and a quite substantial one at that. Unfortunately, this is not the type of injury that can be resolved in a few quick visits, and instead requires many months of vigilant posture correction and self-care. However, when I first began visiting Airrosti, I was in near constant pain with sciatica in my left leg. I could barely extend my leg at the time and the drive to my work would put me out of commission before I even got there. It didn't take long for the pain in my leg to be significantly reduced and for its full range of motion to return. I have since stopped going to Airrosti, yet Dr. Vick and Cera rema...+ show morein very helpful and are always ready to answer any questions that I may have.
by Graham Gilman
I have a bulging disk in my L5 S1 lumbar area. I was living in constant pain especially in the morning. Driving and getting out of the care were Very painful... until I started going to Dr. Rothgeb’s. She has a magic touch!! No kidding! With only three visits I am now able to drive, ride the motorcycle, get in and out of the car with ease! I’ve been exercising twice a day the way Dr. Rothgeb and Sabine trained me, and the results are fantastic! I even reduced the dosage of painkillers to one/zero pill a day. My pain level is always under 5 and it goes down to zero when I exercise! I recommend Dr. Rothgeb to any person suffering from sciatica.. she saved me from a serious surgery. Thank you so much!
by Hilda Khazem
I was a bit skeptical at first, but went in based on recommendations from friends, and the positive experiences they had with Airrosti. I was suffering from what felt like a lower back/disc injury. From a seated position, I could not raise my right foot off the ground without significant pain in my lower right back. After spending a lot of time asking questions and diagnosing my symptoms, Dr. Goehry was able to identify the root problem. More importantly, he was able to effectively explain and visually show me what and where the problem was. To me, this patient education piece is just as important as fixing the problem, because it helped me understand what caused the injury and what I can do to prevent it from occurring again. It turned ...+ show moreout to be a lower back/hip muscle weakness issue for me. In that first session, Dr. Goehry worked his magic, and at the end of the session, I was able to raise my right foot off the ground with much less discomfort than before. From there, he prescribed a treatment plan with strengthening exercises, and Shalyn was great at demonstrating the proper form and answering any questions I had. In the end, I only had to see Dr. Goehry for two sessions, and now I'm in a much better place than I was before, still sticking with the at-home exercises.
by David Gutierrez
I was diagnosed with herniated disc in my lower back 3 years ago and I had either pain or extreme tightness in my lower back most of the days. This prevented me from working out or even go on a long walk and I would have to sit every few steps. My workplace had invited Dr. Barnes from Airrosti for a free examination and I could see the diagnosis was very different and fitting compared to other doctors I have been to before. I went in for a total of 3 sessions with Dr. Barnes, got recommendations for stretches at home lasting barely 10 minutes and withing a month, I was walking and working out again. I even hiked to Mt. Guadalupe (tallest peak in TX) which was something I considered impossible before treatment with Dr. Barnes. I would als...+ show moreo like to mention that the appointments were easy and I was able to get a 7:30am one which let me get to work in time and also, the bedside manners of Dr. Barnes and Kevin Bostick (Certified Recovery Specialist) were something that should be appreciated extensively. I would like to thank Dr. Barnes and Airrosti sincerely for the accurate diagnosis and treatment!
by Sai Kapalayam
I can't thank Dr. Hurt enough for the wonderful care and support she has given me on my road to healing a herniated cervical disk. I have struggled for 7 years with flare ups that caused excruciating pain down my shoulder blade, across my shoulder, and down my arm. Sitting and driving were next to impossible. I have tried chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapies. I have also taken over-the-counter pain medication/anti-inflammatories nearly daily during most of those 7 years. During extreme flare ups, I have tried prescription pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and steroids. The ONLY treatment that has ever given me relief during those times has been spinal injections. When I had my last extreme flare up, I started seeing ...+ show moreDr. Hurt. Through the combination of her treatments and prescribed exercises, I have had 100% relief. This is the FIRST time I have ever had relief without a spinal injection. Currently, I am not taking any medication and I am living a normal, pain-free life. I credit Dr. Hurt with keeping me from neck surgery, and giving me my active lifestyle back.
by Cheri Pallett