Herniated disc or slipped disc is one of the most painful situations of back and spine. Intervertebral discs don’t really slip as called slipped disc in regular language. These discs are made of the annulus fibrosus which is the tough outer layer and the nucleus pulposus which contains a soft, gelatin-like center. When cracks occur in the outer layer of the disc, the soft material inside the disc can begin to push out. This leads to herniated disc. Chiropractor for back pain says, numerous factors can cause a disc to herniate.
In slipped disc, each patient’s treatment needs to be planed individually based on the source of the pain, the severity of pain and the specific symptoms of the patient.
Causes of herniated disc
- Sudden shocks, jerks, lifting heavy weight
- Spine injury
- Over-weightedness
- Weak muscles due to age
- Wrong posture and sedentary lifestyle
Symptoms of herniated disc
- Pain and numbness on one side of the body
- Pain extending to your arms or legs frequently
- Pain worsening at night
- Pain that worsens after standing or sitting for long time
- Pain increasing while walking short distances
- Tingling, aching, or burning sensations in the affected area
The types of pain can vary from person to person. But if the pain leads to numbness or tingling that affects your ability to control muscles, visit your chiropractor immediately.
Precautions to prevent herniated disk
- Use proper lifting techniques. Always bend at your knees and lift weight, not your waist.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Get up and stretch every two hours, avoid remaining seated for long duration.
- Exercises to strengthen the muscles in your back, legs, and abdomen.
- Take healthy diet that includes calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron.
Chiropractors usually advise the patients to start with a course of conservative care prior to considering spine surgery for a herniated disc. Most people respond well to different types of conservative treatment of herniated disc. Within six weeks their pain and discomfort gradually lessen and they don’t need surgery.
There are only a few rare conditions that require immediate surgical intervention. For example, cauda equina syndrome, which is usually marked by progressive weakness in the legs or sudden bowel or bladder dysfunction. It’s best to get diagnosed first for the right kind of treatment.