Focusing On My Back Injuries

Herniated Disc? What You Need To Know

26 October 2022

Timothy Byrd

Your spine is made up of a series of vertebrae that are separated by flexible discs. These discs act as shock absorbers and help you maintain proper posture and alignment. If you experience a herniated disc, you may notice pain, numbness, or weakness in your back or neck.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

When one of the discs cracks or ruptures, a gel-like substance inside begins to leak out. This is called a herniated disc and can happen for many reasons, including:

• Aging. As you age, your discs begin to degenerate and lose water content, making them more susceptible to rupture.
• Normal wear and tear. Everyday activities can cause tiny cracks in the outer layer of your discs over time, causing them to crack, leak, and pressure nearby nerves.
• Injury. Injuries to your back or neck caused by repetitive movements or heavy lifting can also put you at risk for a herniated disc.
• Sudden force. A sudden impact or force exerted on the spine can cause a disc to rupture. For example, this might happen if you experience a car accident or fall from a height.
• High-contact sports. Athletes who play high-contact or collisions sports like football, hockey, and lacrosse are at higher risk of developing a herniated disc.

A herniated disc can happen in any part of the spine, but it is most common in the lower back.

What Are Treatment Options for a Herniated Disc?

If you suffer from a herniated disc, you know how debilitating the pain can be. You may be looking for a treatment option that can help relieve the pain and improve your quality of life. Thankfully, there are treatment options for herniated discs, including:

• Medication. Some over-the-counter or prescription medications can help you manage the pain associated with a herniated disc. These may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, or other pain relievers.
• Physical therapy. A physical therapist can work with you to develop an exercise plan that is tailored to your specific needs and abilities. In addition to providing you with pain relief, physical therapy can also help you strengthen the core muscles that support your spine and improve your range of motion.
• Spinal decompression therapy. During this therapy, you will lie on a table while wearing a harness around your hips and thighs while your spine is gently stretched to take pressure off of your discs and nerves. This stretching action creates negative pressure within your discs, which sucks the gel-like center back into place and relieves pain. 
• Surgery. If you have severe pain or you are unable to manage your symptoms with medication, physical therapy, or spinal decompression therapy, you may be a candidate for surgery. Depending on your specific condition, you may need to undergo one of several different types of surgery to correct your herniated disc.

If you're living with a herniated disc, you may wonder if there's anything you can do to get relief. Spinal decompression therapy and other treatments can help. Contact a company like Bee Caves Scoliosis & Chiropractic Center to learn more. 

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