So What Is A Slipped Disc?
A slipped disc (often called a ‘herniated’ or prolapsed disc) is one of the most common causes of back and leg pain, but firstly it’s important to understand what it is and why you have got it.
The disc, which provides a cushioning between the vertebrae of the spine, consists of a harder outer shell, with a softer jelly like centre. When the outer surface becomes ruptured, the jelly like substance pushes into the spinal canal and reduces the space for the nerves, which exit the spine.
These nerves then become irritated and inflamed, which can cause pain anywhere along the path of the effected nerves, and in many cases cause a symptom called Sciatica.
Herniated Disc Symptoms
So just what are herniated disc symptoms? Well before I answer that question, let me give you a brief description of what a herniated disc is -:
The discs that sit between each vertebra in our spinal column, act as shock absorbers, and assist our bodies with twisting, turning and lifting, and also enable us the flexibility we need to perform our day to day activities.
These discs are made of a tough cartilage outer casing (annulus), and are filled with a softer – jelly like matter (nucleus). When one or more of these discs are stressed or injured – the outer shell of the disc can rupture, forcing the jelly like centre to push through into the spinal canal, and can put pressure or ‘pinch’ the nerves that exit the spine.
Herniated Disc Treatment
Firstly, when considering herniated disc treatment, there are several things that must be considered before taking any kind of action.
The herniated disc treatment that you decide on will depend how severe the pain is, the size of the herniated disc, and what treatments that you have already tried. In around 90% of cases effective herniated disc treatment can be achieved without the need for a surgical procedure.
Now if you have read our previous page ‘herniated disc symptoms’ you will know that most of the actual pain you are feeling is caused by an inflamed nerve, and/or muscle spasm, not from the actual disc itself, so the first steps to herniated disc treatment to consider, is to reduce the inflammation, and therefore reduce the pain.
Getting Smart About Disc Problems
Vertebral Disc problems are very painful. They haunt you with excruciating and shooting pain. Vertebral is a plate or disc of cartilage and fiber that contains a nucleus pulpous, a mass of white elastic fiber in its center situated between the vertebrae or bones of the spinal column.
Disc problems tend to deteriorate with age. The deterioration or any injury or any stress can bring on painful disorder known as slipped disc, herniated disc, pinched nerve or ruptured disc.
In the herniated disc when the disc ruptures or slips, the white elastic fibers protrude through the cartilage exerting pressure on the adjacent nerve root generating unbearable pain in the effected area.
A herniated disc can be completely painless at times, but the degenerative disc can produce intense pain. Degenerative means that the condition is likely to deteriorate with time. Most patients of Read more
