Herniated Discs

What are herniated discs?

The stacked bones in your back that protect your spinal cord are called vertebrae. Between each vertebra is a rubbery sac called a disc. The discs cushion your vertebrae, act as shock absorbers for your spine, and allow you to bend and twist your back comfortably. 

Each disc has a jelly-like center called a nucleus, and a rubbery outer layer called an annulus. Herniated discs happen when the annulus ruptures, and part of the nucleus slips into your spinal canal. The nucleus can place pressure on nerves in your spine and cause pain, numbness, or weakness. 

Herniated discs happen when the discs in your neck or back degenerate and become weaker over time. They can rupture without warning if you move or twist your back or neck. In rare cases, a herniated disc can happen upon impact after a fall or a traumatic injury. 

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?

Herniated discs can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in various parts of your body. The area you feel pain corresponds to the nerve that the herniated disc compresses. 

Because herniated discs usually occur in your neck (cervical spine) or your lower back (lumbar spine), extremity pain is common from herniated discs. 

Possible signs and symptoms indicating a herniated disc are:

• Burning pain
• Sharp pain
• Radiating tingling
• Radiating numbness
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of range of motion

Sciatica is a condition that commonly arises from a herniated disc. If the herniated disc compresses your sciatic nerve, you might feel radiating pain through your buttock and down your leg. 

Some herniated discs don’t cause any symptoms at all. If this is the case, you might never know you had a herniated disc unless it shows up on imaging. 

How are herniated discs treated?

At 43rd St. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, the team treats herniated discs conservatively. They ask you to describe your symptoms and might perform tests to find the location of the herniated disc. Your treatment might involve:

Chiropractic care

Using chiropractic methods, the team at 43rd St. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation realigns your spine to restore balance throughout your body. This can ease the symptoms of a herniated disc at any part of your spine. 

Spinal decompression

Using a traction table or other equipment, the team can stretch your spine to relieve pressure caused by a herniated disc. A 30-45 minute session can restore your mobility and ease your pain with long-term results. 

Massage therapy

Massages are more than just a way to relax. The team at 43rd St. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation might recommend a focused rehabilitative massage to ease the symptoms of a herniated disc. 

Physical therapy

If a herniated disc affects your mobility, physical therapy can help you strengthen the affected muscles and keep them mobile. 

Acupuncture

During acupuncture, your provider places fine needles in your skin along energy lines. This can help restore balance in your body and alleviate pain or numbness from a herniated disc.

For expert non-surgical herniated disc treatments, call 43rd St. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation or book your evaluation online today.