Back Pain Conditions »

Herniated Disc

What is it?

Funny thing is, the medical community has not standardized the term. So, if you’re told you have a slipped disc, a prolapsed disc, a bulging disc, a ruptured disc, or even degenerative disc disease, it’s essentially the same thing. The terminology just depends on who you’re talking to.

Technically, a herniated disc occurs when the outermost part of the disc begins to weaken and the inner soft part starts to press outward. Most people don’t even know they have a herniated disc until the herniation is touching the nerve. And, yes, you can have a herniated disc and not have pain.

What causes it?

The two most common reasons for a disc to herniate are trauma and muscle imbalances. Muscle imbalances to what are called "postural dysfunctions." These dysfunctions put abnormal pressure on the disc that will cause increased wear and tear over time. Eventually, the weak spot will give way and make contact with the nerve, bringing you pain.

The most important thing to understand about herniated discs is that, barring trauma, they do not happen overnight. You may be come symptomatic very quickly, but it takes a long time for conditions to be right for the nerve to be put under enough pressure to cause pain.

What are the symptoms?

Complaints range from local pain to radiating pain. Depending on where the herniation is, you may experience arm pain or leg pain.

Loss of bowel or bladder control is deemed a medical emergency, so you should get to the emergency room as quickly as possible if either of these things happen to you.

What are the most common treatments?

Common treatments include cortisone injections, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), hot packs, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and therapeutic exercises.

There are more than a handful of surgical procedures for a herniated disc, all of which have two main goals: to take pressure off the nerve and stabilize the joints.

Why do traditional treatments fail?

Most traditional treatments fail because they simply address the symptoms and fail to address the cause of the condition. Your herniated disc is a physical problem, and it requires a physical solution. There are no pills or injections that can create postural balance in your body, which is what is necessary to reduce the pressure on the nerve.

Which treatments work best?

A herniated disc is a very complicated condition and most people get the best results when they combine multiple treatment approaches together. For example, Inversion Therapy can be very effective but it works even better when you also perform Muscle Balance Therapy.

Here are some more treatments you may want to consider:

Inversion Therapy
Muscle Balance Therapy
Trigger Point Therapy
Proteolytic Enzyme Therapy

 

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