A herniated disc, also called a bulging or slipped disc, is an intervertebral disc situated between two of the vertebrae in your spine that has been torn or ruptured and allows material from inside the disc to bulge or leak outward. Herniated discs are most common in the neck and lower back, though they can show up anywhere in your spine.

Based on your unique anatomy, you can experience pain from the disc itself or from nerves in the area if they become irritated or compressed by the herniated material.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

• Pain in the center of your spine near the affected disc
• Sharp, shooting pain into the arms, hands, legs, or feet
• Numbness and tingling
• Muscle cramping or weakness
• Decreased coordination of your hands or feet
• Decreased sensation in your arms, hands, legs, or feet

Symptoms can flare up depending on your daily activities, certain movements, or behaviors that increase the pressure inside your body, like coughing, sneezing, or using the restroom.

Herniated discs are mostly the result of wear and tear over many years. However, trauma and abrupt movements can also damage or rupture your discs. It’s possible to experience a disc herniation after lifting objects that are heavier than you’re used to lifting, activities that compress your discs, like running or jumping, and as a result of poor core strength.

The most common movement that causes herniated discs is a combination of bending and twisting. These movements apply compressive forces on your discs along with torque that can cause the fibrous outer layer of the disc to tear, allowing the gellike internal layer to leak out.

Treatment for herniated discs depends on the size of your disc herniation — determined by an MRI — and the severity of your symptoms. Conservative treatments for herniated discs include:

• Physical therapy
• Massage therapy
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
• Corticosteroids
• Epidural steroid injections
• Nerve blocks

If conservative measures aren’t enough, the team can recommend minimally invasive surgery to remove the portion of the disc that is compressing your nerves and causing pain.

Find out which treatment is best for your herniated disc by calling Spinal Diagnostics or booking an appointment online now.