Disc Herniation
Symptoms and treatment options
Symptoms Of Disc Herniation
What is an intervertebral disc: An intervertebral disc lies between the vertebrae of the spinal column. Each disc forms a fibrocartlaginous joint to allow slight movement of the vertebrae, acts as a ligament to hold the vertebrae together and functions as a shock absorber for the spine.
Low back pain
Patients with herniated discs can experience muscle weakness, muscle spasms and overactive reflexes. The pain is sometimes worsened with standing or sitting or with certain movements. Patients often experience pain in the buttocks.
Neck pain
A common symptom of disc herniations in the cervical spine is neck stiffness. The pain is usually worsened with activity and lessens with rest. The pain can present itself when turning or bending your neck.
Arm/Leg pain
Some herniated discs can irritate nerves and cause pain, numbness or weakness in your arms or legs. These symptoms can feel like pins and needles or uncomfortable burning or tingling. Patients often experience pain in their shoulder blades, fingers, toes, thighs and calf.
How To Know If You Have A Disc Herniation?
There are several tests that can be done in the office that would show evidence of a herniated disc. In order to truly rule out a disc injury we would need to order an MRI.
X-ray
Although X-rays are great for broken bones and for showing us a decrease in disc space they cannot confirm a disc injury.
CT
A CT is a more detailed X-ray that is best for looking at bones and soft tissue structures. It is not the best option for looking at disc injuries but it is a great alternative for patients with pacemakers because they can't have an MRI.
MRI
An MRI is the gold standard when wanting to diagnosis a disc injury. This form of imaging will give us the best view of your intervertebral discs and surrounding structures including the nerve roots that are sometimes irritated by the disc.
Treatment options for Disc Herniation
There are several treatment options you have when dealing with a disc herniation.
1. Nothing
There is always the option to do nothing and not seek treatment and that may work for some patients, but it's not the best option for most.
2. Spinal Adjustment
Adjustments can be fantastic for helping with all of the biomechanical changes that may come with having a disc injury by restoring motion back to the joints.
5. Surgery
Although surgery may be our last option, it is sometimes necessary in more severe cases.
3. Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be helpful for pain relief that you may be dealing with due to the disc injury.
4. Decompression
Our office has a DRX 9000 which is a true spinal decompression machine that was designed to deal with exactly this injury.
Treatment options for Disc Herniation
There are several treatment options you have when dealing with a disc herniation.
Nothing
There is always the option to do nothing and not seek treatment and that may work for some patients, but it's not the best option for most.
Spinal Adjustment
Adjustments can be fantastic for helping with all of the biomechanical changes that may come with having a disc injury by restoring motion back to the joints.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be helpful for pain relief that you may be dealing with due to the disc injury.
Decompression
Our office has a DRX 9000 which is a true spinal decompression machine that was designed to deal with exactly this injury.
Surgery
Although surgery may be our last option, it is sometimes necessary in more severe cases.
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for appointments or questions: