A herniated disc occurs when the center of a disc becomes dehydrated–resulting in the disc not performing its function properly. Discs are situated between vertebrae in the spine and act as a cushion between them. When a disc loses water it can cause a dislocation in its center. This is what is referred to as a herniated disc or ruptured disc.
Most herniated discs are found in the lower two vertebrae of the spine. Pain can be experienced at varying degrees when one suffers from a ruptured disc–anywhere between numbness to severe back pain. Sciatica is a common condition that is caused as a result of a herniated disc. Sciatica symptoms are a tingling sensation or weakness in the leg. This is usually a good indication that one has suffered a ruptured disc.
Treatments Available for Herniated Discs
Although a herniated disc can cause a lot of pain and discomfort, most people can recover and go back to their normal routine without having to undergo any type of surgery. It is critical to contact your doctor as soon as you begin to experience any back pain so that he/she may evaluate what is the cause of your pain. If in fact it is a herniated disc problem, he or she will be able to prescribe the proper therapy and medications, as well as inform you of the activities you can and cannot do until you are healed.
The sooner you are diagnosed the better your chance of recovering more quickly. Non-surgical methods are extremely successful as long as you follow your doctors orders. If you are told to rest, you must adhere to this advice. If you find that your back or leg pain persists, surgery may be the only option available to treat your condition. Surgery however is better at reducing pain in the leg than it is for relieving back pain.
Either way–surgery or not–physical therapy is an important component of healing. Your therapist will teach you special exercises that will heal your back and help reduce your pain. Initially the exercises you will do will be easy stretches that lessen your back or leg pain. Once you are experiencing less pain you will begin to do more intense exercises that will improve your endurance, strength and flexibility. Most of the time you will have to perform these exercises at home on a regular basis for your lifetime to avoid any relapse.
