Back Pain
Lumbar Herniated Disc
Causes, Symptoms
and Treatments.
What is it?
The soft and rubbery disc between the vertebrae (spinal bones) ensures smooth and frictionless movements. A herniated disc occurs when the disc’s soft center bulges out of the external shell, leading to nerve compression and spinal pain.
COMMON CAUSES
Disc herniation usually happens due to normal age-related wear-and-tear of the rubbery spinal discs. As you age, the discs may lose their flexibility and strength, becoming prone to herniation and ruptures.
The likelihood of a herniated disc may increase when an individual’s occupation necessitates heavy lifting, pulling, pushing, etc. In some cases, a disc herniation may happen because of injuries or trauma when you fall or hurt your back.
COMMON SYMPTOMS
Disc herniation usually happens in the lumbar region (lower back), but it can also happen around the neck or upper back. The specific symptoms of disc herniation depend on the nerves affected by the herniated disc.
A herniated disc in the lower back leads to painful sensations in the legs, buttocks, thighs, and calves. And a herniated disc in the neck leads to painful symptoms in the shoulders and neck.
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HERNIATED DISC
TREATMENT
HERNIATED DISC TREATMENT
PHYSICAL THERAPY
The treatment for disc herniation starts with physical therapy to restore muscle strength and flexibility. We recommend a series of targeted exercises, chiropractic massages, and stretches to improve your joint mobility, flexibility, and strength. Physical therapy can gradually adjust your back and minimize the pain caused by herniated discs.
EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTIONS
An epidural steroid injection is a minimally invasive procedure that minimizes the inflammation caused by nerve compression and disc herniation. A cortisone steroid is injected into the epidural space surrounding the affected vertebrae and nerve roots to reduce the inflammation, improve mobility, and provide immediate pain relief. Corticosteroids don’t treat the damaged disc, but they reduce the consequent inflammation, providing pain relief for several months.
SURGERY
Surgery is rarely necessary to treat herniated discs. However, you may need to consider surgical treatments if all other conservative treatments fail. During the surgery, the protruded parts of the disc are removed to take the pressure off the surrounding nerves, providing complete pain relief. In rare cases, the surgeon may need to fuse the upper and lower vertebrae to ensure spinal stability.
SURGERY
Surgery is rarely necessary to treat herniated discs. However, you may need to consider surgical treatments if all other conservative treatments fail. During the surgery, the protruded parts of the disc are removed to take the pressure off the surrounding nerves, providing complete pain relief. In rare cases, the surgeon may need to fuse the upper and lower vertebrae to ensure spinal stability.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER
HERNIATED DISC TREATMENT
POST-TREATMENT IMPROVEMENT
Most patients recover from herniated discs after a few weeks of physical therapy combined with epidural steroid injections. Physical therapy will gradually improve your mobility and flexibility, minimizing the pain from nerve compression. Cortisone injections will provide instant relief from the inflammation and other symptoms of disc herniation. And if a herniated disc surgery is necessary, you’ll be given specific post-treatment recovery guidelines to help you restore complete mobility in a few weeks.
Do you have any symptoms? CALL US NOW
Will your health insurance cover your pain treatment?
Most pain treatments are covered by most health insurances, including medicare. Our insurance specialists are available to discuss your options call us to get started at (866) 446-0946 or fill out the form below: