Symptoms and Signs
- 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 produces shoulder and arm pain.
- You may also experience numbness or tingling in the affected areas.
- Some people find it difficult to walk or lift objects when suffering a herniated disc.
Causes
- Aging causes disc problems as your spinal discs lose water content and become less flexible.
- Disc damage occurs 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.
- Being overweight or obese increases your chances of suffering a herniated disc.
- Some people have a genetic tendency towards disc damage and herniated discs.
Treatment
- 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.
- Gentle exercise combined with rest helps treat herniated discs.