How Can You Treat A Herniated Spinal Disc?
Herniated disc injuries lead to numbness and tingling of the affected area. They occur when there is a bulge of the vertebral disc through a gap in the spinal column.
There are various treatments for a herniated spinal disc, which we will discuss further.
Anatomy of the spinal disc:
The spinal disc is found in the spine in between the vertebrae. They are made of a soft, round bundle of elastic tissue which can become harder as we get older. As this happens, they become more prone to injury, causing a protrusion of the disc or a possible herniation. When a herniation occurs it can pinch nerves and cause great pain.
What causes it?
A sudden trauma can lead to some form of herniation. Alternatively, it is something that can occur overnight. Repetitive stress injuries can also lead to the development of a herniation, as these repetitive movement exert continued pressure on certain ares of the spine.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of a herniated spinal disc include:
Shooting pain, numbness and tingling in the back and extremities, loss of muscle strength and difficulties with control of bowel and bladder.
These symptoms occur as a result of the disc pressing on the nerve, causing irritation and inflammation. A compressed nerve is unable to effectively transmit electrical impulses to the brain, and can result in the tingling and numbness that is directly related to the pressure the disc is exerting on the nerve.
If the injury is high enough in the cervical neck area, it can result in respiratory difficulty, which will require immediate medical attention.
Diagnosis of a herniated disc is most often made by a thorough physical exam, as well as testing sensation and reflexes. Muscle strength is also examined, as loss of muscle strength is a symptom of a herniated spinal disc. Other testing may include x-rays, CT scan, and MRI.
Once determination has been made that you have a disc herniation, treatment will be prescribed to alleviate the pain and correct the disc’s position.
Treatment for this disorder may include:
Non Steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, pain relievers and hot and cold packs.
Surgery may be considered if no relief comes from these methods. This surgery will involve removing either part or all of the disc and is called a discectomy.
If you feel your symptoms are consistent with those of a herniated disc, get in touch with your doctor for an official diagnosis.
About the Author
Jared Wright runs the marketing for Clivir.com, a community site offering you free learning resources. Visit the links below to learn more about other back pain related issues such as
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