What exactly is a herniated disc?

A herniated disc results from the degeneration of the spinal disc due to aging or an injury to the spine. When a disc herniation takes place, the cushion that lies between the spinal vertebra is pushed outside of its usual position. It can cause pain, weakness and numbness in the lower back and leg. Read on to know more about the symptoms and treatment of herniated disc.

The human spine or backbone is made from 33 bones, known as vertebrae. There are 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae and 5 lumber vertebrae. There is the sacrum (5 vertebrae fused together) beneath the fifth lumber vertebra, followed by the coccyx or tail bone (3 vertebrae fused together).

These vertebrae are cushioned by small, soft pads of cartilage. Spinal discs comprise a jelly-like inner layer, called nucleus and a tough outer layer, called annulus fibrosus. These discs act as a shock-absorber and protect the spine from any kind of injury or stress. Spinal discs also allow bending movements of the spine.

If the spinal disc degenerates due to aging or any injury, the soft inner layer may rupture and get herniated through the annulus fibrosus. This can cause irritation of the spinal nerve, leading to pain, weakness and numbness in the lower back, arm and leg.

This condition is known as a herniated disc. It is also referred to as compressed disc, bulging disc, prolapsed disc, slipped disc, ruptured disc or herniated intervertebral disc. Herniated disc most commonly occurs in between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae in the lower back (lumbar spine); however, it can also occur in the cervical spine.

Causes

When this disc problem is associated with wear and tear due to aging is known as degenerative disc disease. As the water content and elasticity of the nucleus of the disc are reduced with aging, people between the age of 30 and 50 are at higher risk of herniated disc. Lifting heavy objects can also lead to spinal disc herniation.

Sometimes, traumatic events such as a fall or any injury to the spine can cause it. Smoking reduces the oxygen levels in the body, causing deficiency of vital nutrients in the body tissues, thus increases the risk of a disc herniating. Some other risk factors include excess body weight, being tall (men taller than 5 feet 11 inches and women taller than 5 feet 7 inches) and occupations that cause excess stress to the spine.

Symptoms

The severity of the symptoms may vary depending upon the position and the size of the herniation. If it is pressing on the nerve roots, then it can cause pain and numbness in the back and legs. If the hernia is in the lower back, then it causes back pain known as sciatica that spreads to the buttocks and legs. Lower back pain and leg pain may worsen after sitting, sneezing or coughing. If it occurs in the upper back, then it can lead to neck pain that may spread to the shoulders and upper arms.

Some other symptoms are numbness, tingling, weakness and muscle spasms. In some rare cases, this condition can lead to cauda equina syndrome, which is caused due to compression of the spinal nerve roots. Emergency surgery is required to relieve the pressure and cure cauda equina syndrome; otherwise it can cause permanent weakness or paralysis. If left untreated, a herniated disc can lead to some complications such as increasing pain and numbness in one or both legs, bowel or bladder dysfunction and progressive loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

If you experience back pain or leg pain that interferes with normal activities for more than a week, then you should consult an orthopedist. Certain tests are suggested by the doctor for diagnosis such as straight-leg-raising test, cross straight-leg-raising test and screening neurological examination. Certain imaging tests like X-ray, CT scan, MRI scan and myelogram are performed to confirm the location of the herniated disc and to detect which nerve is affected.

Treatment

Treatment is decided depending upon the severity of the symptoms. There are surgical as well as nonsurgical options. Nonsurgical methods include pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, hydrotherapy, electrical stimulation, cold therapy, heat therapy, bracing, traction and stretching. You can also benefit from certain exercises like dynamic lumbar stabilizing exercises and aerobic exercises with pain-free activities.

There are also many natural alternative methods and treatments available to relieve or cure this condition. See some suggestions here, natural cures

In some severe cases, surgical options such as minimally invasive and decompression procedures are recommended.

Nonsurgical Treatment

Many a time,  improvement can occur with nonsurgical treatment options which aims at reducing irritation of the nerve, relieving pain and improving physical activities. Primary treatment is administered for  back pain relief . You need to limit or modify the activities like prolonged sitting, lifting heavy objects or bending, which can aggravate the symptoms. Physical therapy and exercises can help increase the strength and flexibility. Pain relievers like acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin can help to reduce pain and relieve inflammation of the nerve roots.

Neuropathic pain medications like pregabalin, gabapentin and duloxetine can be effective for painful nerve conditions. Lower doses of tricyclic antidepressants like nortriptyline can also help to relieve pain.

A natural pain reliever might be the preference, such as using Eazol

If you have persistent back spasms, then your doctor prescribes muscle relaxants like methocarbamol, cyclobenzaprine or carisoprodol. If pain is not improved with these medications, then corticosteroids are administered orally or through epidural injection. Some other treatment options including cold or heat therapy, bracing, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), hydrotherapy and traction are also helpful in relieving pain.

Deep relaxation can be achieved through learning to  meditate , or by regularly listening to relaxing music and a method gaining in popularity nowadays is the use of laughter as a pain reliever

Once pain is relieved, the treatment is given to strengthen and stabilize the spine and restore spinal function. Rehabilitation involves physiotherapy and various exercises such as stretching, aerobics, and dynamic lumbar stabilization exercise. These back strengthening exercises help control pain, correct the posture, strengthen the muscles and improve flexibility.

Surgical Treatment Options: If you don’t experience any improvement with nonsurgical treatment options after a period of time, then surgical options are recommended. Surgical treatment is aimed at relieving pain and preventing irritation of the spinal nerve due to herniated disc. Minimally invasive procedures include chemonucleolysis and endoscopic discectomy. Open decompression involves discectomy, microdiscectomy and spinal fusion.

Some alternative treatment options are also found to be effective such as acupuncture, massage, spinal manipulation and yoga. You can prevent potential problems by doing regular exercise, maintaining good posture and healthy weight, and quitting smoking.

By Reshma Jirage

Herniated disc success story!

New York Chirpractor specializes in Spinal Decompre fef ssion. Non Surgical spinal decompression for treatment of herniated discs. Whole Body vibration using the PowerPlate and Cold Laser therapy.

Back Pain Treatment

Probably the worst back issue that can happen to someone is a herniated disc. There may be other worse conditions, but a herniated disc is all too common today. The mainstream method of treatment is surgery. This is rarely sucessful.

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Sciatica refers to the pain that is referred down the leg from the scaitic nerve which emerges at the base of the spine and is sometimes referred to as lower back pain.

Back pain and sciatica are treatable! Back pain and sciatica sufferers are not doomed to the surgeon’s blade. A bad back can be dealt with effectively, without surgical intervention, if proper bad back strategies are implemented early and followed consistently.

Have you ever gotten out of bed and felt that nagging feeling in your back, a kind of stiffness that doesn’t seem to want to go away with normal movement? Have you ever started to bend over and felt that twinge in the lower back, perhaps radiating down the leg? Have you ever bent over to pick up a child, a pet, even a package and felt a blast of pain? Has your back pain and sciatica ever gotten so bad you had to stop what you were doing and rest?

Take charge with natural sciatica home treatment

If you have answered yes to any of the questions above, you are in good company. Unfortunately, back pain and sciatica are a pain complex suffered by literally millions of Americans every year. In fact, almost half a million people are operated on every year for what most people refer to as a bad back. Severe and chronic pain may be caused by many things but is often the result of the stress, strain, and trauma we impose on our muscles, connective tissue (tendons and ligaments), discs, and even the vertebrae themselves.

And when they are stressed so are we. A large part of chronic pain management is learning how to relax enough for the pain to go down and self hypnosis which you can do at home would be recommended for this.

While it is true that many back injuries are the result of significant trauma and disease, the majority of back pain and sciatica results from normal, day-to-day activities. The activities resulting in back strain and injury may be as mundane as working around the garden, sweeping the driveway or raking leaves, shoveling snow (always a good one), lifting laundry or grocery bags, household chores, and picking up children or grandchildren.

Often, simple adjustments to movement and behavior, properly and consistently implemented, go a long way towards preventing or at least minimizing back strain and its consequences. A few bad back strategies in particular are quite effective in minimizing the consequences of back stress and strain:

first and foremost, be aware of body position while engaged in activities that may impact the back, particularly the lower back; next, maintain good posture through exercise, conscious thought, and eventually, habit; third, make sure to stretch often, usually as part of a total exercise program; along with the third bad back strategy, integrate a consistent, individualized, and professionally supervised exercise program into your life; next, make sure to always know your limits; and, always listen to that still, small voice in your head, if it says you’re pushing it, you probably are; finally, lose weight.

Cure Sciatica Naturally In 7 Days.  Unique Natural Treatment For Sciatica

Significantly, added weight may have more of a negative impact on back health than any other single factor. If you are carrying extra weight, you are placing incredible stress and strain on you back. The combination or all of these strategies, tied to an intelligent weight loss and exercise program, will do wonders, often alleviating, then eliminating, back pain and sciatica

Ultimately, a medical consultation may be the wisest strategy, particularly if your back pain and sciatica continue for more than a few days. Do not wait for it to worsen! If you have engaged in an exercise program and are losing weight, you should begin to experience relief quickly. You will be amazed at how soon after beginning an intelligent, focused, and individualized exercise program you start feeling real relief. If you do not, see your physician and he or she will recommend a good orthopedic surgeon or neurologist. Don’t wait until you are disabled to get help, it is not necessary and the damage may be irreversible without surgery.

Try regular use of a heat pad. Satisfied users swear by it!

Bad back strategies are easy to implement and, from personal experience, are easily made habits, allowing you to significantly minimize, and ultimate eliminate, your pain. After years of pain and surgeries, weight loss and exercise, along with the other strategies mentioned above, allowed me to re-enter life as a participant and not just as a spectator, miserable, depressed, and disabled. It is not easy and it takes conscious effort but it is doable and the results are amazing! So remember, posture, positioning, lifting, exercise, and weight loss. If you follow these five bad back strategies you will alleviate, and eventually eliminate your back pain and sciatica.

Is Chronic Upper Back Pain Responsible for Respiratory Problems

Upper back pain in the lungs which causes inflammation gives rise to the diseases like tuberculosis and pneumonia. Upper back pain often experienced with the suffering from chronic respiratory problems such as coughs and lung cancer

Information About Back Pain

Neck pain, although felt in the neck, can be caused by numerous other spinal issues. Neck pain may arise due to muscular tightness in both the neck and upper back, or pinching of the nerves eminating from the cervical vertebrae.

Upper Back Pain – Causes of Upper Back Pain

Although upper back pain is not a very common spinal disorder, it can cause significant discomfort and pain when it does occur. The most common causes of upper back pain are muscular irritation (myofascial pain) and joint dysfunction.

Article Author: John Zajaros

For further information and an intelligent program of exercise, one that works for back pain and sciatica, guaranteed, go to:

http://www.HowToStopSciatica.com

For additional information and links to excellent sources for bad back strategies, to include ice-compression braces, Walk Fit orthotics for cushioning, and the ultimate shoe for bad back and sciatica sufferers, New Balance walking and training shoes:

http://www.ultimatebadbackstrategies.com

John P. J. Zajaros, Sr., The Bad Back Guy

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Zajaros

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