A herniated disc in your back or neck can cause debilitating pain, numbness, and other symptoms that affect your ability to move and function. The medical professionals at Elite Physical Medicine work together to provide a comprehensive program to relieve your herniated disc pain and restore your mobility. To escape from chronic neck or back pain caused by a herniated disc, call the office in Mason, Ohio, Hebron, Kentucky, or Lawrenceburg, Indiana, today, or schedule an evaluation online.
Your neck and spine contain 33 bones called vertebrae. A circular disc made of tough, flexible tissue and filled with gel cushions each vertebra, allowing your spine to bend and twist. Spinal discs have a fibrous outer ring called the annulus, and a gel-filled center known as the nucleus.
When you have a herniated disc, sometimes called a slipped disc, damage to the outer annulus has allowed the inner nucleus to shift out of the disc center. This creates a bulge that can press on the nerves of your spine, causing pain.
Herniated discs are most commonly seen in the lower back and neck, but a disc can herniate along any part of your spine.
As you age, the annulus tissue weakens, making it easier for the disc to become displaced. Once the annulus has weakened, it’s easy for movements like twisting and bending down from the waist instead of the knees to result in a herniated disc. Poor posture can also cause the nucleus to shift out of place.
Other things that can contribute to a herniated disc include:
If you’re overweight, the extra pressure on your spine can lead to a slipped disc. Smokers also have an increased risk of developing a herniated disc.
The most common symptoms caused by a herniated disc are:
A herniated disc that compresses the large sciatic nerve in the lower spine is a primary cause of sciatica, inflammation of the sciatic nerve.
Based on where your herniated disc is and what caused it, as well as your health history and other individual factors, the medical team at Elite Physical Medicine designs an integrative treatment plan to address your condition.
Your personalized treatment plan can include:
Typically, the team recommends a three-part program that includes immediate pain relief, structural healing, and ongoing maintenance.
For fast relief from the discomfort of a herniated disc, call Elite Physical Medicine today, or request an appointment online.
