​What Is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc occurs when the outside tissue of a disc breaks down and the fluid inside comes out and puts pressure on its surrounding tissues. It can go by many other names including slipped or pinched disc, or pinched nerve. The most telling sign or symptom is a radiating pain. Among patients who don't even experience pain, 33% have significant disc abnormality. 20% of patients under 60 have bulging or herniated discs. If you are experiencing pain, the pain may or may not be right at the site, so proper diagnosis from a doctor is smart. Because the fluid puts pressure on surrounding nerves, the nerve endings could send the pain signal to another place. This is called nerve root pain. Its opposite is called axial pain when the pain is right at the site. Being diagnosed with a herniated disc will only narrow it down to being within the spine. If the disc in question is a member of the cervical discs, discs in the neck region, your diagnosis would be a cervical herniated disc and require other treatments then will be discussed in this article. Further testing carried out by MRI or X-Ray can determine which discs are affected.

What is the First Step for Treating a Herniated Disc?

Once the source of the problem is figured out, the first attempts for treatment will be non-invasive. Managing swelling and inflammation of the area are of the first concern, because of the pain it can cause. Your doctor will likely prescribe rest and a support designed for the lumbar region of the back, to decrease inflammation by encouraging proper form, preventing further injury, and keeping the site warm. Support products like the back brace can also promote healing by encouraging blood, nutrient and oxygen flow to the areas it affects. These supports usually wrap around the trunk and can be easily concealed beneath your clothing unless you want surrounding people to know you're injured so that they move around you with care. With the best luck, the improvement to your posture along with the rest and conscious effort you are making to heal will allow the body to do its job. If these measures aren't enough to alleviate most of your pain, you might be prescribed a pain or anti-inflammatory medication.

Treatment will vary based on the severity of pain and the patient's tolerance and patience. The first attempts at conservative treatment will likely be a trial and error process that extends 4-6 weeks. Some patients will prefer employing one treatment option at a time, or multiple. A patient might require using pain management treatment options in addition to trying to heal the herniated disc itself through other means. Physical therapy is often recommended to reteach a patient proper body mechanics to prevent further injury and learn to care for their bodies going forward, long after the herniated disc is healed. In rare cases, such as when a patient is losing the ability to move arms and legs due to damage or pain caused by the herniated disc, surgery might be considered.

What Steps Should I Take for Surgery?

The surgery for a herniated disc is called a Lumbar Decompression Surgery. This procedure is still minimally invasive and provides a lot of immediate relief to the patient. The surgery involves removing the fluid that's protruded the disc and is adding pressure to the nerve. This gives the disc and nerve more space to heal. Those who were experiencing Sciatica, pain of the leg caused by the herniated disc, usually experience immediate relief even though a full recovery will take weeks to months. A similar surgery can be performed for people suffering the cervical kind of herniated disc. Wearing support products post-surgery is as beneficial if not more, as wearing them pre-surgery. It's likely you will also be recommended more physical therapy or light exercises and stretches to improve the use of the affected body parts.

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How can I Tell it's a Herniated Disc?

If you are experiencing pain or loss of function in your limbs or extremities, see your doctor about detecting and treating this problem early. Herniated discs can get worse over time, so the earlier you catch it the better. There are ample options for every type of patient, so rest assured, you can tackle this condition your way once you have a diagnosis and know the source of your pain. If you are experiencing new pain from what you might think is a herniated disc or injury, it's best to ice the area right way (within the first 48 hours) to reduce the inflammation that causes pain and gets in the way of healing. After this period, you can apply heat for comfort, promoting healing, and circulation.