INJURY SPOTLIGHT: HERNIATED DISC

A herniated disc, also referred to as a slipped or ruptured disc, is a common condition that can be extremely painful and debilitating. A herniated disc develops when one of the cushion-like pads between the vertebrae moves out of position and presses on adjacent nerves.

The human backbone, or spine, consists of 26 bones called vertebrae. Between each vertebrae lie rubbery, cushion-like pads (referred to as "discs") that help keep the vertebrae in place and act as shock absorbers.  Spinal disks have been likened to doughnuts with a soft, jelly center and a tougher exterior.  A herniated disk occurs when some of the soft interior slips out through a crack in the disk's wall. Most commonly, this occurs in the back, but it can also happen in the vertebrae of the neck.  The escape of this "jelly" is thought to release chemicals that directly irritate nerves in the surrounding area and cause significant pain. There is also a chance that the prolapsed disk can press up against nerves and cause pain through compression.

A herniated disk can lead to numbness or weakness in one or more limbs. Contrarily, some people experience no associated pain with a herniated disk, particularly if the disk does not press on any nerves.  Although some cases of slipped disks are not associated with any symptoms, many are, and symptoms can include:

• Numbness and tingling
• Weakness
• Pain: with herniated disks in the lower back, the pain is generally in the buttocks, thighs, calves and, possibly, feet; this is often referred to as sciatica because the pain travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. If the problem lies in the neck, the pain normally affects the shoulders and arms. 

Often times, the cause of a herniated disk is simple wear and tear of the disk from repeated movement over time.  With age, spinal disks lose some of their water content, and this reduction in fluid means that the disks are less supple and, therefore, more liable to split.  It is not always possible to recall the exact point when a problem with a disk begins; however, it often occurs when lifting objects without bending at the knee or twisting when lifting a heavy item.  Factors that increase the likelihood of a herniated disk include:

• Weight: being overweight puts additional stress on the lower back
• Genetics: a predisposition to herniated disks might be inherited
• Occupation: individuals with physically demanding jobs or pastimes that involves pushing, pulling, or twisting

Physical therapy often plays a major role in herniated disc recovery. Its methods not only offer immediate pain relief, but they also teach you how to condition your body to prevent further injury. If you are currently suffering from a herniated disc, your physical therapist can work with you to develop a plan that best suits you and offers relief.  Start on your journey back to health today by calling us at (901) 756-1650 to make an appointment - you've got nothing to lose!!

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