Herniated Disc
What is a Herniated Disc?
The bones in your spine, called vertebrae, are separated by uniquely structured pads of collagen known as “discs.” Discs help absorb and distribute force, act as spacers providing room for nerves to exit the spinal column into the periphery, and allow for the dynamic and extensive ranges of motions performed by the human spine. Discs have a tough, fibrous outer layer called the annulus fibrosus and a soft gel-like center called the nucleus pulposus. You can think of the annulus like the rings on a tree. The several cylinders of fascia contribute to its durability. When damage to the annulus rings occurs, it can result in a herniated disc or a disc bulge.
A herniated disc (also known as slipped disc, prolapsed disc, or ruptured disc) occurs when the fibrous rings of the disc tear to the point that the soft gel-like center migrates outside of the disc into the surrounding area. A bulge occurs when only a portion of the annulus tears so that the nucleus migrates into the cracks, pushing the rings outwards causing them to bulge. The inner material of the disc, or a bulge in the disc, can make contact with local nerves causing irritation, an intense inflammatory response, and pain. Although a herniated disc can seemingly happen for no reason, most herniated discs result from repeated bending or bending and twisting motions.
Acute pain from herniated discs typically lasts about two weeks. Usually, healthy movement, postures, loads, and activities can reduce the bulge or herniation. It is best to seek the help of a clinic specializing in diagnosing spine conditions and providing treatment to facilitate health movement, reduce inflammation, improve healing, and ultimately strengthen the affected area.
Symptoms of a herniated disc
A herniated or bulged disc usually irritates the nerves at the level the injury has occurred, resulting in pain, discomfort, or poor performance of the area where the disc has herniated and the corresponding regions of the body served by those nerves. For example, a herniated disc can present as arm or leg pain, or perhaps numbness or tingling. It can also cause the affected limb to become weaker, making it difficult to walk or perform at work or home. More severe cases can result in a loss of control of the bladder or bowel.
Causes
The first is caused by repeatedly bending the spine in the direction away from the bulge. Repetitively lifting heavy loads with poor form and improper abdominal bracing can cause excessive stress on spinal discs, possibly resulting in a bulge or herniation. This type of bulge is found in those holding jobs or performing activities that involve repetitive movements such as digging with a shovel or loading and unloading a truck.
The second is a result of the disc flattening like a tire losing air. These bulges are more challenging to manage; however, finding the pain-producing activity and eliminating it, then building pain-free movement patterns is vital.
The third is a tearing in the disc as a result of twisting. Rotating through your hips and limiting twisting movements in the spine is often successful at reducing pain and improving function with these injuries. Suppose one’s employment requires lifting heavy loads consistently and twisting or turning while doing so; in this case, it’s essential to learn proper form and appropriate lifting strategies as a preventive measure against a herniated disc.
Radius treats acute and chronic injuries and can perform assessments to screen for injury potential based on occupation, age, and biomechanics. We can also create a program to help you strengthen your back and increase your resilience to injury.
Risk Factors
The following are a few factors that are associated with an increased risk of developing a herniated disc.
Occupation: As stated above, daily work duties can demand motions and activities that put extra weight and torque (twisting and rotational movements) on the spine, increasing the risk of developing a ruptured disc.
Weight: The heavier the individual, the more weight the back must support when upright. Over time, this causes discs to wear down faster than usual.
Age: As a person ages, discs dehydrate, become less malleable, and more prone to damage and tearing.
Genetics: Certain people are born with discs that are more prone to becoming damaged or torn.
Smoking: Cigarette smoking is linked with degenerative disc disease (DDD). Smoking limits the body’s ability to provide oxygen and nutrients to one’s discs, thus accelerating age-related degeneration.
Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle can result in the body not maintaining itself as efficiently as a more active individual. Consistent activity results in a healthier musculoskeletal system, including a healthier spine and discs.
Sex: Men are twice as likely to develop a herniated disc than women.
Complications
Suppose a herniated disc is severe enough that it can not heal without intervention and regular activity continues to cause damage to the associated nerves. In that case, several neurological problems can arise. These can include one or more of the following:
Loss of bladder or bowel control (Cauda Equina Syndrome)
Permanent nerve damage
Progressive pain, numbness, weakness, or loss of muscle function
Permanent Disability
Saddle Anaesthesia (a loss of feeling in the inner thighs, back of legs, and rectal area)
Treatment
At Radius, we offer several active and passive treatments to help people suffering from a herniated disc. Passive therapies are beneficial in early recovery stages, as the body is not yet ready to handle rigorous exercise. Some of the passive treatments we provide are:
Manual Therapy: Doctor performed skilled hand movements intended to produce any or all of the following effects: improve tissue extensibility; increase range of motion of the joint complex; mobilize or manipulate soft tissues and joints; induce relaxation; change muscle function; modulate pain; and reduce soft tissue swelling, inflammation or movement restriction.
Deep Tissue Massage: This type of massage therapy alleviates muscle tension and spasms, resulting in greater mobility for the spine, thus aiding in recovery.
Hot and Cold Therapy: Exposure to heat increases circulation to an area, which aids in healing, while exposure to cold reduces circulation, thus reducing inflammation. Both methods have their advantages, particularly when combined.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: This therapy utilizes a device to provide a mild electrical current to stimulate muscles to relax and release endorphins, which reduce pain.
Traction: Traction therapies remove pressure from the discs. Eliminating compression can allow the soft material from the disc to migrate inwards again and facilitates healing in certain types of disc injuries.
Some of the active treatments we offer at Radius include:
Exercise programs: Individualized exercise programs to reduce disc bulges and mitigate future occurrences.
Core stabilization: Core stability does not mean getting six-pack abs. Core stability means learning how to properly brace your core to accomplish the desired movement and building core endurance to maintain the appropriate core brace for the duration of an activity. Developing a proper core brace and core endurance can help to strengthen and stabilize the spine.
Movement education: Improving pain-free movements and postures to decrease spinal stress during daily activities and work.
Flexibility: Stretching exercises work to lengthen shortened tissues and remove excessive tension. Altering tension and creating balance through strategically applied stretching can enable the body to heal more quickly.
Strength Training: Strength training promotes healthy bones and connective tissue. The proper motions, at the right time, in the right amount can produce profound results in recovery and injury prevention. Strength training is not just about lifting weights. A good strength program will incorporate and train neuromuscular coordination, form, and endurance.
Nerve Flossing: Just like pulling dental floss through your teeth, you can slide and glide nerves through their pathways in the body. Often with disc injuries, nerves can become ‘stuck’. Nerve flossing can help restore a nerve’s ability to glide and respond appropriately to changes in tissue length and tension.
Radius Provides the Best Options for Rehabbing a Herniated Disc
Radius operates two clinics in the Sierra Nevada Foothills of Northern California, located in Grass Valley and Roseville. If you live in the counties of Placer, Nevada, Sacramento, or El Dorado, call or stop by and ask about our services. When you have a painful injury such as a herniated disc, time is critical; you want to get back to your routine, but your pain limits your mobility. Our experts in musculoskeletal rehabilitation know just how to diagnose and treat conditions that arise from various injuries, and back injuries are a specialty. Call our office to schedule a consultation. We look forward to providing a pathway to relief.