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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 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