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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'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