A herniated disc is typically a painful condition that impacts one of more of the rubbery discs in your spine. It usually affects the lower back but can happen at any point along the spine. Most people will feel excruciating pain for the first few days, although it won’t feel completely better for at least four to six weeks.
Could you be suffering from a herniated disc? Read on to discover if this is your current source of back pain.
What is a Herniated Disc?
Your spine is made up of 26 bones, or vertebrae, along with jelly-like discs that provide cushioning. At least one of these discs may become herniated if it becomes forcibly pressed through a weak area of the spine. Pain occurs when the slipped, or herniated, disc places pressure on the spinal cord or nearby nerves.
Herniated Disc and Bulging Disc:
Key Similarities & Differences
A herniated disk can often be confused with a bulging disk, though they differ in causes and characteristics. A herniated disk occurs when the outer layer ruptures, typically due to a sudden injury. On the other hand, a bulging disk often results from the gradual wear and deflation of the disk’s soft center with age, though it can also be caused by injury. Multiple disks can be affected simultaneously, leading to other spine-related issues.
Both conditions share symptoms depending on the disk location:
Lumbar spine: Pain in lower back, buttocks, leg
Cervical spine: Pain in neck, shoulder, arm
General: Numbness, tingling, weakness
Key differences include:
Herniated Disc
Caused by acute, sudden injury
Disk covering has a hole or tear
Typically affects one spinal disk at a time
Common in people aged 30-50, especially men
Bulging Disc
Progressive, degenerative condition
Disk decompresses and presses outward
Can affect multiple disks simultaneously
Generally occurs around age 40 and older
Herniated Disc Statistics
Herniated discs are relatively common, affecting up to 2% of people annually and are a leading cause of neck, arm, back, and leg pain (sciatica). They most frequently occur in the lower back or neck, particularly among individuals aged 30 to 50, with men being twice as likely to be affected as women.
Fortunately, nearly 90% of patients with herniated discs do not require surgery. Effective treatments include:
Ice & heat therapy.
Activity modification.
Analgesics & anti-inflammatory medications.
Epidural nerve blocks,
Physical therapy & exercises.
Add chiropractic care to these non-invasive options, and you have a comprehensive and holistic approach that is less invasive than surgery for managing and alleviating herniated disc symptoms. Read on to find out more about treatments, what your doctor will check to see to diagnose and treat your condition, and more.
What Does a Herniated Disc Feel Like?
Most herniated discs are painful, although you can have a herniated disc and feel no pain at all. When there is pain, it is commonly felt in the arm or the leg, depending on where the herniated disc is located (neck or lower back).
If you have a herniated disc in your lower back, you may feel pain in the buttocks, thigh, calf, and foot. A herniated disc in the neck, however, produces shoulder and arm pain. You may also experience numbness or tingling in the affected areas. Some people can find it difficult to walk or lift objects when they’re suffering from a herniated disc.
What Causes a Herniated Disc?
There are seven main causes for a herniated disc. These include:
Occupation – If you have a physically demanding job and/or do repetitive tasks, you may have a higher risk of suffering from a herniated disc.
Smoking – Smoking is believed to reduce the oxygen supply to your discs, which may cause them to erode more quickly.
Being Sedentary – Having a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to a herniated disc.
Frequent Driving – The mixture of being sedentary and the vibration from the vehicle’s engine may cause increased spinal pressure.
Trauma: An accident like a fall, blow to the back, or a car crash can sometimes cause herniated discs.
Aging – May cause disc problems because your spinal discs lose water content and become less flexible.
Being Overweight or Obese — Increases your chances of suffering a herniated disc.
Genetics – Some people have a genetic tendency towards disc damage and herniated discs.
Furthermore, disc damage may occur when you lift a heavy object and put strain on the lower back or neck, turn your body sharply, twist as you lift, or suffer a blow to the back or neck. But in some cases it’s impossible to determine the cause of a herniated disc, and the best course of treatment is to manage the symptoms.
How to Know if You Have a Herniated Disc
There are several potential ways to determine if you’re suffering from a herniated disc. Pay close attention to any herniated disc symptoms you’re experiencing, and keep an eye out for sciatica, pain while sitting, and/or worsening pain while lifting a heavy object, coughing, sneezing, bending down/forward, and pulling or pushing a heavy object.
It’s also important to notice if your pain feels worse at night, upon standing, when you laugh, while walking, and when bending backward. Other prime indicators include:
- Pain on one side of your body.
- Arm or leg pain; Deep pain over or near your shoulder blade.
- Pain while moving your neck.
- Numbness in your fingers, forearm, elbow, and/or shoulder.
- Sharp pain in a single area of your hip, leg, or buttocks.
- Numbness in the sole of your foot or back of your calf.
- A weak feeling in your leg.
Visit your doctor for a diagnosis and be sure you tell them about all your symptoms. Be prepared for your doctor to check your muscle reflexes, any numbness, loss of feeling, posture, and muscle strength.
Additionally, your doctor may ask you to bend sideways, backward, and forward, to stand, sit, and walk, to raise your hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder, and to move your neck sideways, backward, and forward.
It is also possible that your doctor may order at least one of the following tests:
- Myelogram – To determine the location and size of your herniated disc.
- Electromyography (EMG) – To figure out which nerve root is affected.
- Nerve Conduction Velocity Test – To check for nerve damage.
- Spine X-Ray – This can help rule out any other causes of neck or back pain.
- Spine CT or Spine MRI – To determine the location of your herniated disc, along with where it’s pressing on your spinal canal.
Treatment Recommendations
If you are suffering from pain due to a herniated disc, you can receive treatment so you can live a more comfortable life – see a pain management specialist or physical therapist in order to devise a treatment plan for your particular needs.
Physical therapy may use controlled exercises, heat and ice treatments, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation to treat the painful herniated disc. You can help your recovery by avoiding problematic activities that worsen pain and by lowering your stress levels to prevent muscle tension. Additionally, gentle exercise combined with rest helps treat herniated discs.
Another treatment method that has shown great success is specialized chiropractic care. At Innovative Health and Wellness, we have the necessary diagnostic tools to design a custom wellness plan. That way, you can spend less time in pain and begin recovering right away!
Does Icing Help a Herniated Disc?
Yes, as mentioned, ice and heat treatments are both an option for treating a herniated disc. In fact, using the two in alternate sessions is one of the best forms of self-care.
Use heat first. Apply it to the injured area by using a warm cloth, heating pad set to low, or a warm water bottle.
Please note: Do NOT allow yourself to drift off to sleep if you’ve chosen to place a heating pad directly against your skin. If you think there is a chance that you’ll fall asleep, set a timer to turn the heating pad off within 10-20 minutes.
Once you’re done with heat, you can switch to ice. Place a thin cloth between your skin and the ice. Next, arrange the cold pack on the affected area and keep it there for 10-20 minutes.
You can repeat this hot and cold process two to three times per day. Alternatively, if you find that one method helps but the other one doesn’t, you can choose to use only ice or heat. Either way, using this at-home treatment should provide at least mild relief from the symptoms of a herniated disc.
Herniated Disc in Neck Symptoms
Having a herniated disc in your neck can cause a burning or sharp pain in your arm or shoulder. It may also shoot through your leg or arm when you move into certain positions, sneeze, or cough. This particular form of a herniated disc is referred to as a herniated cervical disc. Additional symptoms may include:
Weakness in your arm or hand.
Tingling or numbness in your arm or shoulder.
If you’re suffering from a herniated cervical disc, it is typically not an emergency. Even though it can be quite painful, your symptoms will most likely abate rather quickly. You can help speed up this process even more by receiving a chiropractic adjustment.
Herniated Disc Emergency Symptoms – When to Promptly Seek Medical Attention
The following symptoms indicate a medical emergency, and you should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room to get the medical attention you need if you experience:
Infection – Signs of an infection such as skin changes, fever, chills, or sweats.
Saddle Anesthesia – Numbness that occurs in areas of your body that would contact a horse’s saddle, such as the back of the legs, inner thighs, or rectum area.
Worsening or Debilitating Symptoms – Pain, numbness or weakness that is so debilitating as to hinder your sleep or daily activities.
Pain or Dysfunctional Bladder or Bowel – Cauda equina syndrome happens when there is a compressed nerve root. Pain and urinary and bowel incontinence often result from this syndrome.
Paralysis – If any part of your body is paralyzed, it’s a medical emergency.
Severe Weakness – Significant weakness in the foot or leg, particularly when trying to stand up.
Loss of Sensation – Numbness in the genital or rectal areas.
Herniated Disc Prevention
There are many actions you can take to prevent herniating a disc, including:
Maintaining a Healthy Weight – Excess weight puts more pressure on the disc and spine, making them prone to injury. Working with a medical weight loss specialist can help you develop a personalized plan to shed excess pounds and maintain a healthy weight, reducing the risk of disc injuries.
Maintaining Good Posture – Practice good posture always. This practice is especially true if you are sitting for extended periods. When sitting for extended periods, keep your back aligned and straight, shoulders back.
Stopping Smoking – Studies show this habit erodes your discs.
Lifting Items Properly – It’s important to prevent damaging your discs by lifting objects the proper way. For instance, you should use your legs instead of your back to lift them. Another good practice is to know the amount of weight you can safely lift. You can read more about proper lifting principles by clicking here.
Working with a World-Class Chiropractor – Making appointments and consulting with an expert chiropractor can greatly reduce your risk of disc injury.
Work with Innovative Health and Wellness to Achieve a Healthier & Pain-Free Life Today
At Innovative Health and Wellness, we are dedicated to helping you achieve a healthier back through our world-class chiropractic care. Our chiropractic care focuses on reducing stress on your central nervous system, helping you manage stress naturally and improve overall well-being.
Chiropractic care at Innovative Health and Wellness is more than just spinal adjustments–it’s about reducing nerve stress and enhancing your body’s natural functions. Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a desk-job worker, or an insomniac, our personalized chiropractic treatments can help you live a healthier, pain-free life.
If you’re ready to take the next step towards a healthier back and overall well-being, contact us today. Our friendly and knowledgeable team at Innovative Health and Wellness is here to answer any questions you may have and to schedule your appointment. Visit our offices in Atlanta or Woodstock, GA, or contact us today. Let us help you achieve your health goals and live a pain-free life.
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Frequently Asked Question’s
How do I know if I herniated my disc?
If you think you herniated a disc, there are some telltale symptoms you can use to tell, including:
Back pain, particularly in the lower back, often radiating down one leg (sciatica). This pain can worsen when sitting, standing, or making specific movements.
Numbness or tingling in areas like your buttocks, thighs, or calves, muscle weakness that makes it difficult to perform certain activities or lift objects.
A reduced range of motion in the spine, and increased pain when coughing or sneezing.
You should always consult with a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Can a herniated disc cause paralysis?
Yes, the capsule in a herniated disc cracks or breaks. Then the nucleus can squeeze out and irritate nearby nerves and the spinal cord, causing numbness and weakness in the limbs. A severely herniated disc can lead to permanent paralysis. Any paralysis is a medical emergency so call 911 or go to your local hospital if you can.
Does numbness from a herniated disc go away?
Yes, but nerve healing can take a long time, depending on the type of injury. Always work with Always work with a healthcare professional to ensure proper treatment and recovery. Less intrusive remedies such as chiropractic adjustments and weight management clinics can be effective alternatives to spinal surgery, promoting healing and pain relief.
How can I test myself for a herniated disc?
These three tests can suggest if you have a herniated disc. They are not definitive, though, so always consult with a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
They are:
- The Straight Leg Raise Test – Lie on your back with legs straight and feet flexed. Slowly raise one leg without bending the knee. Pain in the lower back or leg, especially on one side, may indicate sciatica from a herniated disc.
- The Slump Test – Sit with feet flat on the floor, slump forward, extend one leg, and lower your chin to your chest. Pain in the lower back or leg may suggest sciatica.
- The Spurling Test – Tilt your head to one side and apply gentle pressure. Pain, tingling, or numbness in the shoulder, arm, or hand may indicate cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerve) from a herniated disc.
What can be mistaken for a herniated disc?
There are many conditions that can mimic the symptoms of a herniated disc. These include:
Mild Sciatica – This condition can cause pain similar to that of a herniated disc, often resulting in discomfort in the lower back and legs.
Degenerative Disc disease – As discs age, they can cause pain and symptoms similar to a herniated disc.
Osteoarthritis – This joint disease can lead to pain and stiffness in the spine, which can be mistaken for a herniated disc.
Muscular Disorders in the Buttocks – Muscle issues in this area can cause pain that radiates down the leg, mimicking herniated disc symptoms.
Piriformis Syndrome – This condition occurs when the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve, leading to symptoms similar to those of a herniated disc.
If you believe you have a herniated disc or have similar symptoms, always talk with your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
What are signs a bulging disc is getting worse?
Signs a disc’s structure is deteriorating include increased pain, impeded mobility, new or intensified loss of sensation or tingling in the limbs. If you have these symptoms, see a doctor immediately because early diagnosis and treatment is essential for managing your health.
Can you feel a herniated disc with your fingers?
You can probably feel sore spots, but feeling a herniated disc with your fingers is unlikely since it is located between the bones of your spine. More importantly, it is important to promptly get medical attention if you experience symptoms of a damaged disc. Your next step is to immediately talk to a doctor or spine specialist about your symptoms.