Herniated Disc

A herniated disc is a condition that affects more than 3 million people in the US each year.

It is a condition concerning a problem with a rubbery disk between the spinal bones.

This disc is soft and cushiony, with a jelly-like interior and a tougher exterior.  A herniated disc happens when the jelly-like interior of the disk seeps pushes out through a tear in the outer exterior.  A herniated disk is sometimes called a slipped disk or ruptured disk.

Symptoms a Herniated Disc

Although herniated discs can occur in your neck, most happen in your lower back.  If you think you are experiencing a herniated disk, look for these common signs:

• Numbness or tingling
• Arm or leg pain
• Weakness

If you are having neck or back pains that travel  down your arm or leg, seek medical attention.

Causes

Most often, disk herniation is caused by aging-related wear and tear called disk degeneration.  As you age, the spinal disks become less flexible and more prone to rupturing and tearing as a result of minor twists and turns.

It can be often hard to pinpoint the exact cause of a herniated disc, but typically it occurs during the lifting of heavy objects with poor posture, or twisting and turning.  Traumatic events like falls or blows to the back are rarely the cause of herniated disks.

Treatments

The treatment options for a herniated disc usually depend on the severity and symptoms experienced by the patient.  A few of the more common treatments that you may see are: Medications, therapy, surgery, or alternative medicine.
If you or someone you know may be experiencing pain from a herniated disk, don’t hesitate to contact us today and schedule an appointment. At Texas Pain Physicians, our number 1 priority is your pain relief, so call us today!