Archive for the ‘Herniated Disc’ Category
Herniated Disk Tutorial
August 24th, 2010
A herniated disk tutorical presented by John Byrne. Personal experience with lumbar spine problem. Jbyrne4792@aol.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5
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Lower Back Pain Remedies
June 28th, 2009
Lower back pain remedies with emphasis on treatment for herniated disc. This article answers a lot of questions abot lower back pain and bulging disc tretaments.
Suffering with Herniated Disc Problems? 5 Ways to Relieve Your Back Pain Now
A herniated disc diagnosis continues to cause concern in people suffering with back pain … understand its significance and the steps you can take to reduce the chances of it ever becoming an issue.
Does this scenario sound familiar?
You bend over to pick a Kleenex off the floor. Your back locks up. You begin to experience lower back pain radiating into the buttocks and down the leg. You consult with your doctor who orders an MRI. The MRI report identifies a herniated disc.
Bad news?
Maybe but in all likelihood, it’s not as bad as you may think.
You may have heard people say they have a "slipped" or "ruptured" disc in the back. You may have even heard terms like "bulging" or "protruding" discs. These are common "street names" that describe a herniated disc.
The Truth About Herniated Disks May Shock You
Did you know that if we were to perform an MRI on people with NO back pain, as high as 85% of those people would show evidence of a herniated disc? The truth is that if you have back pain, there’s a good chance a herniated disc has NOTHING to do with your pain.
Low back pain will affect 80% of the American population at some point in their life. And, of the 80% who experience a first time episode of back pain, the pain will resolve with little or no intervention. In fact, only 10% of all back pain sufferers ever require surgery.
Yet, despite these favorable back pain statistics, a herniated disc diagnosis continues to cause concern in people suffering with back pain.
To alleviate this concern, it’s important that you understand the process for determining the significance of a herniated disc. Plus, you should know the steps you can take to reduce the chances of a herniated disc ever becoming an issue.
How to End Your Worrying & Your Back Pain
1. Understand that the presence of low back pain, pain radiating down the leg, and a positive MRI do NOT necessarily implicate a herniated disc as the source of your back problem.
Pain that radiates into the buttocks and down the leg is often referred to as sciatica. Yes, sciatica pain can be caused by irritation of the nerve root from a herniated disc. But, chances are your sciatica symptoms are the result of irritation of the sciatic nerve from a structure outside the spine.
To make this determination, a thorough physical examination must be performed and the findings corroborated with MRI films.
WARNING: Your report of symptoms and a study of the MRI film DOES NOT constitute a thorough physical exam. It should include a detailed medical history, an actual assessment of your movement, strength, reflexes, sensation and any pertinent clinical tests plus a review of the MRI film.
2. Increase your awareness of specific symptoms that may implicate a more serious back problem.
These include:
– Fever in addition to intense back or neck pain.
– Inability to manage daily activities.
– Severe pain, which worsens over a period of weeks.
– Pain returning often.
Seek immediate medical attention if you should experience:
– Numbness around crotch or genitals
– Difficulty in passing or controlling urine
– Numbness, pins and needles or weakness in both legs
– Unsteadiness while standing
3. Realize herniated disks don’t just happen because you leaned over to pick up a Kleenex.
Spinal discs are tougher than what was once thought. They can tolerate a tremendous amount of physical abuse. Just ask the Navy SEAL recruits who entered SEAL training with diagnoses of herniated disc problems. After 14 weeks of the most physical and mental challenging training on the planet, they experienced no changes in their herniated discs.
Degenerative disc disease and subsequent herniated discs are linked to two factors:
– Aging
– Genetics
As we age, the deep muscles of the spine begin to deteriorate. This creates a dynamic instability to your back. At the same time, the discs begin to lose their water content resulting in a loss in disc height and strength. This ultimately leads to failure of the disc material.
4. Stop or reverse your spinal aging process by exercising and retraining your affected back muscles.
Tight back muscles need to be stretched and weak back muscles need to be strengthened. Too many times back treatment is geared towards symptom management rather than addressing the specific muscle imbalances, which are responsible for your back pain problems.
Treatment such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, massage, and moist heat, while soothing, do nothing to address your muscle imbalances. Even surgical intervention is ineffective if you don’t first address the underlying muscle imbalances.
5. Stop pursuing treatments that will have zero effect on your herniated disc problems.
Instead you should seek out a musculoskeletal specialist that has the skills to identify and address underlying muscle imbalances. Chances are that once identified and treated, your back pain and sciatica pain will go away completely.
| By Malton Schexneider Published: 4/7/2008 |
Lower Back Pain – Are You Suffering From A Herniated Disc
If you are suffering from lower back pain do you realize that you could be suffering from a herniated disc?
Stretches to get quick relief from herniated disc sciatica
Leg pain or sciatica (also known as radiculopathy) from a herniated disc is commonly caused by disc material protruding backwards and irritating or compressing a nerve root, which in turn causes pain to radiate along the sciatic nerve.
Types of sciatica: herniated disc,
What is Sciatica? This is a term that is the cause of much confusion and is often grossly misunderstood. Sciatica is not just a disease or ailment or even a diagnosis by itself that would point to any particular cause of pain.
The oral steroids for herniated disc should only be given by a healthcare professional, and needs to be accurately assessed before commencing. There are many varieties of herniation of the disc found today.
Sitting with a Herniated Disc written by a recovered disc pain sufferer. Article details the misery of seated posture with lumbar disc herniations.
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Symptoms of Herniated Disc
March 6th, 2009
Herniated disc results from the degeneration of spinal disc due to aging or an injury to the spine. It can cause pain, weakness and numbness in the lower back and leg. Read on to know more about symptoms and treatment of herniated disc.
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 of Herniated Disc
Herniated disc when 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 herniated disc. Smoking reduces the oxygen levels in the body, causing deficiency of vital nutrients in the body tissues, thus increases the risk of herniated disc. 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 of Herniated Disc
Severity of the symptoms of herniated disc may vary depending upon the position and the size of disc herniation. If the herniated disc is pressing on the nerve roots, then it can cause pain and numbness in the back and legs. If herniated disc 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 herniated disc occurs at upper back, then it can lead to neck pain that may spread to the shoulders and upper arms.
Some other symptoms of herniated disc are numbness, tingling, weakness and muscle spasms. In some rare cases, herniated disc 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, 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 of Herniated Disc
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 the diagnosis of herniated disc 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 for Herniated Disc
Treatment for herniated disc is decided depending upon the severity of the symptoms. There are surgical as well as nonsurgical options for the treatment of herniated disc. Nonsurgical methods for herniated disc 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. In some severe cases, surgical options such as minimally invasive and decompression procedures are recommended.
Nonsurgical Treatment: Many a times, herniated disc improves with nonsurgical treatment options. Nonsurgical treatment 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 are effective for painful nerve conditions. Lower doses of tricyclic antidepressants like nortriptyline can also help to relieve pain. 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.
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.
Herniated disc can also be treated with some alternative treatment options such as acupuncture, massage, spinal manipulation and yoga. You can prevent herniated disc by doing regular exercise, maintaining good posture and healthy weight, and quitting smoking.
| By Reshma Jirage Published: 1/28/2009 |
Disc Back Surgery can be a very scary thing to consider, especially because of all the conflicting information available. There are definitely some instances where surgery for a herniated disc is required.
Effective Treatment for Herniated Disc In Arizona
A person suffering from herniated disc suffers from different levels of pain. That is why it is important to seek professional help.
Traditional and Modern Medicine: How To Deal With Herniated Disc
There are a lot of different ways of treating herniated disc. Patients who are suffering from herniated disc are faced with a lot of options on how to deal with their condition.
NetOfficials » Blog Archive Effective Treatment for Herniated Disc
by Dr. Randall Pruitt If you are from Arizona and you are suffering from herniated disc, then you don’t have to [...]
Diagnosis and Treatment of Disc Problems
A bulging disc (often called a herniated disc) in and of itself is not necessarily painful. First, you need to obtain a more accurate diagnosis of what is causing your lower back pain.
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Tags: back pain, Sciatica, symptoms of herniated disc, treatment for herniated disc | 
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