You May Have a Herniated Disk and Not Even Know It

What Causes Herniated Disk?

Herniated disk is a condition where the vertebrae disks are damaged. A slipped or ruptured disk is also a herniated disk. The exterior of the disk may be damaged, and the softer interior pushes out. Unfortunately, there are a few causes of disk herniation. First, age-related disk degeneration usually causes herniated disk. Age causes the spinal cord disks to dry, and the disks become inflexible and prone to damage. Second, lifting with the back muscles instead of the leg muscles could cause disk herniation. Third, physical damage inflicted upon the back, such as a fall, can cause a herniated disk. Additionally, there are risk factors for slipped disk. Patients who are overweight experience additional stress on their disks, and the risk of ruptured disk can be genetically inherited. Further, patients who work at physically demanding jobs are at an increased risk of developing herniated disk.¹

Symptoms of Disc Herniation

Herniated disk usually occurs in the lumbar region of the spine, but it can also affect the cervical region of the spine. Patients who have lumbar disk herniation may experience leg pain, and patients with cervical disk herniation may experience arm pain. Furthermore, the leg pain can be intense in the buttocks, thigh, and calf. Unfortunately, the pain can worsen with coughing, sneezing, and movement. In addition to pain, patients may experience numbness or tingling in the affected limbs. There can also be muscle weakness, and it can cause patients to stumble and struggle with lifting items. Sometimes, patients experience no symptoms when disk herniation is present. The herniated disk may be found by imaging if the patient is unaware of their condition. Patients who experience symptoms should seek medical attention if the pain travels down the limbs or if they experience numbness, tingling, or weakness.²

Herniated Disk Treatment Options

Fortunately, there are both in-office and at-home treatment options for herniated disk. Over-the-counter medication, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, may relieve mild pain. Patients try prescription nerve pain medications, narcotics, cortisone injections, epidural injections, or muscle relaxants. Specifically, the prescriptions reduce inflammation, pain, swelling, and spasms. Side effects may include dizziness, sedation, nausea, confusion, and constipation depending on which prescription the patient uses. In some situations, patients might need to undergo surgery. In open discectomy, the surgeon removes the protruding portion of the disk. Typically, the surgeon will try to use a laparoscopic technique to avoid removing any vertebrae or moving spinal nerves. Artificial disk replacement can replace the entire disk or just the soft interior. The replacement surgery is performed in Europe. It is not available in the United States. However, surgery should not be the first option.³

Physical Therapy

Usually, physical therapy is a viable treatment option for herniated disk. Specifically, it can provide pain relief and prevent further injury. There are many aspects to physical therapy beyond exercise. Patients may receive hot or cold therapy to increase blood flow or reduce circulation. Hydrotherapy is performed in a bath or shower, and it relaxes the muscles and relieves pain. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS, stimulates the muscles without pain. In more active forms of physical therapy patients will work to strengthen and increase the flexibility of their bodies. Developing a strong core helps the muscles support the spine. Flexibility wards off stiffness, and it is important to stretch before engaging in many forms of exercise. Hydrotherapy also uses active exercise, such as aerobics, while the patient is submerged in water. Patients will be guided through the treatment routine by their physical therapist.⁴

Chiropractic Care

Another safe treatment option for many conditions is chiropractic care, and it can also provide relief for herniated disk. First, the chiropractor will look for issues with the nerves, loss of muscle strength, sensation loss, and postural issues. Chiropractors train to treat spinal issues, and they look at the whole spine and related areas of the body. Then, they may use spinal manipulation, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercises to treat the disk herniation. Spinal manipulation treatments are adjustments to the spine to bring it back into alignment. Specifically, the chiropractor might employ flexion-distraction technique and pelvic blocking techniques. Rarely, chiropractors who work in hospitals may perform manipulation under anesthesia. The patient is only sedated for a few minutes, and the chiropractor uses the time when the body is relaxed to manipulate the treatment area. The treatment plan for every patient is built according to their needs.⁵

Yoga and Herniated Disk

Patients who regularly perform yoga should be careful if they have a herniated disk. In general, not every yoga position is best for every patient. Furthermore, patients who are injured or those who have medical conditions have fewer options. In general, patients who have disk injury should avoid bending forward too far while standing or sitting and rounding their backs. In fact, any pose or position that causes pain, tingling, or numbness should be avoided. Patients should consult a medical professional before trying any new yoga poses when injury is present. Unfortunately, improper techniques can lead to further injury. Some poses that might not aggravate patients who have herniated disk are corpse pose, mountain pose, warrior II pose, triangle pose, half upward-facing dog pose, reclining big toe pose, and child’s pose. Patients can use blankets, blocks, and other props to put gentle traction on the spine.⁶

Massage Therapy

Often, massage therapy, chiropractic care, and physical therapy are all part of the same treatment plan. Additionally, massage therapists and chiropractors may share the same office. They are complementary treatment options, and they are usually safer than traditional treatment options. There are many types of massage, but deep tissue massage is the most effective type for herniated disk. Deep tissue massage is stronger than many other techniques, and patients need to be aware that it is not as gentle. The additional pressure relieves deep muscle tension and spasms. Massage therapy focuses on relieving pain and tension, but it is not a complete treatment for disk herniation. Patients will need to seek additional care in order to fully treat their herniated disk.⁷