Understanding Herniated Discs

What Exactly is a Herniated Disc?  

Your spine’s intervertebral discs play an important role in keeping the vertebrae from rubbing against each other. Sometimes, though, those discs can bulge outward or rupture: what’s called a herniated disc. If the damaged disc presses against a nearby nerve root, it causes symptoms. 

That’s why many people develop a herniated disc and do not know it–because their herniated disc doesn’t affect any nearby nerve roots. But when a herniated disc does affect a nerve root, here’s what to expect:

• Burning pain
• Pain that radiates into the extremities
• Numbness or tingling that radiates into the extremities
• Weakness

The location of your symptoms can give you a general idea of the location of your herniated disc. While any disc in the spine can herniate, herniated discs typically occur in the neck (cervical spine) or lower back (lumbar spine).

• Cervical herniated discs will cause symptoms through your shoulder, arm, and hand.
• Lumbar herniated discs will cause symptoms through your lower back, buttocks, thigh, lower leg, and foot.

What Causes a Herniated Disc?

There are two main causes for herniated discs, and they may develop due to a blend of factors:

Disc Degeneration

• As we get older, our intervertebral discs naturally start to dry out and become less flexible, making them more likely to tear or rupture, even with relatively minor bends or twists.

Injury

• When a younger person gets a herniated disc, it’s usually the result of an injury related to improper lifting techniques, like twisting as you lift or using your back muscles instead of your legs.

How Can Physical Therapy Help Resolve a Herniated Disc?

The good news is that herniated discs rarely require surgery or other invasive treatment options. Often, symptoms fade on their own. However, physical therapy can facilitate that process and–more importantly–help prevent future herniated discs!

Our team will perform a comprehensive evaluation in which we review your health history and current symptoms and conduct a detailed physical exam to look for any muscular weaknesses or other issues that might have contributed to your condition. Next, we’ll create a customized treatment program blending various treatment options:

Manual Therapy

• These hands-on techniques, which include spine mobilizations, can help reduce pain and improve spinal function.

Therapeutic Exercises

• We’ll guide you through a customized, targeted exercise program. We’ll start with mobility exercises to regain your range of motion, helping you move without discomfort. Then, we’ll work with you to strengthen your core and back muscles to support your spine and prevent future injury.

Posture and Body Mechanics

• We’ll show you proper posture and movement patterns can significantly reduce pressure on the spine and prevent further disc issues.