HealthcareIs That Back Pain You Have Caused By A Slipped Disc?

Suffering from a slipped disc is not much fun at all. It can be extremely painful and can affect your everyday life and mobility. There are several names for a slipped disc such as a prolapsed disc or a herniated disc, and they are something that can suddenly cause extreme pains in your lower back area. The cause of the pain is basically the disc pressing onto a nerve.

What is a slipped disc ?

The name of this condition is a little misleading, as the disc has not actually slipped out of place. The discs in your back consist of two parts. The first is the strong outer section, and the inside is the soft portion. What has happened is that the inner part of the disc, which is soft and gel-like in nature, has started to bulge out through a weak area in the outer rim of the disc. The sensation of pain that can be felt in the lower back and the leg is the result of this herniated disc pressing on nerves that come out from the spinal cord.

Depending on where the herniated disc is located in your spine will determine whether you feel a numbing and sharp pain in your legs or arms. The pain will in most cases, be localized to one side of the body.

What are the symptoms ?

The symptoms that you may experience will all depend on where in your spine the disc has slipped. It is possible for a disc to herniate in any part of the spine, from the neck area down to your lower back. The most common area for slipped discs is in the lower back.

If you have slipped a disc in the lower back area then the typical pain that you will experience will be centered on your leg and buttock. It can even reach as far down as your foot depending on the severity of the herniation. If you have a slipped disc in the neck region, most of the pain will be felt in your arm and shoulder.

The most common sign of a slipped disc is the feeling of tingling or numbness, which is caused by the herniation pressing onto a nerve in your spine. You can also experience weakness in your muscles and you might find that certain movements, or sleeping in certain positions can trigger the pain.

What causes it ?

There are several reasons why people suffer from slipped discs. One is age, where gradually over time the outer area of the disc weakens, allowing the soft center to start pushing out, almost like when you squeeze jam out of a hole in a donut. As you get older, your discs will also start to lose some of the liquid content that helps protect them, and creates the potential for more chances of them slipping out of place.

Another cause is if you lift heavy items. If you work in an environment where you do a lot of heavy lifting, such as a courier, warehouse worker or home removals, you must always make sure to lift the correct way. This means proper posture and using your leg muscles, rather than your back. A sudden movement such as lifting up a very heavy object by bending down the wrong way is a very easy way to suffer from a prolapsed disc.

Another cause is if you are overweight or unfit. Being overweight will obviously result in more weight and pressure being put onto your lower back. A sedentary lifestyle where you do very little exercise or movement can also result in a slipped disc.

How is it treated ?

There are various treatments available for people who suffer from a slipped disc. The type of treatment prescribed by your doctor will always depend on the severity of the problem, as well as your personal health history.

In many cases, the problem can be treated by physiotherapy and following a structured exercise plan. You will need to work the muscles around your back and to strengthen them. Many doctors will advise patients to keep active and busy during the period where they are suffering from a slipped disc, as it will stop the problem from potentially becoming a chronic issue. Getting a good sleep is important, but don’t lie in bed or sit at home all day. Try and take some activities to keep your body working.

Depending on the severity of the pain you are suffering, you may be prescribed painkillers or anti-inflammatory pills to help with the inflammation and the exposure of the nerve to the herniated disc. Recovery may not be instant, but by following your doctors advice, you can treat the problem without the need for surgery.

There are specialist back clinics found in many cities around the world such as Spine CTSI, where you can book a consultation with a specialist to examine you and discuss your condition.

However, there may be some cases where surgery is the only option, so keep your doctor informed about your progress in case this is the route you might eventually need to take.

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