By 
A bulging or herniated disc is a condition that occurs when the soft part of a disc pushes out into the spinal column. The condition can cause pain and other symptoms or be asymptomatic, which might require imaging scans for diagnosis. Hamilton herniated discs can be a source of back, neck, and leg pain, affecting your daily life.
To effectively treat a herniated disc, you need to undergo diagnostic testing to identify the affected disc(s) and seek treatment immediately. Herniated discs can lead to chronic pain and nerve damage if left untreated.
Causes and risk factors
Aging, improper posture, and excessive strain can lead to a herniated disc. As you age, the ligaments that support your spine begin to deteriorate and weaken, which makes your spinal discs protrude and cause pain. Usually, the pain occurs when the disc compresses your nerves and other tissues.
You are at a higher risk of herniated discs if you have poor posture or lift heavy objects incorrectly. You might suffer from a herniated disc if you lift things with excessive pressure on your back. Maintain a neutral spine when sitting or picking something from the ground.
What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?
If you have a herniated disc, you might experience symptoms like pain on one side of your body, including your buttocks, hips, and legs. A numbness or tingling sensation might also occur because of nerve compression. Other symptoms include muscle spasms, weakness, and numbness in your hands or feet.
Treatment options
For effective treatment, your doctor will evaluate your lifestyle habits and encourage better posture when sitting or working. Your specialist will perform tests to ascertain the severity of your condition before offering one or a combination of the following treatments.
Rest
Rest can help reduce the pressure on your spinal column. If you don’t have severe pain and other symptoms, your doctor can recommend resting for a few days to relieve your spine and back. However, rest briefly to avoid stiffness, and consider gentle exercises and short movements like stretches to stimulate your muscles and blood flow.
Physical therapy
Your physical therapist can perform deep tissue massage on your back to reduce pain and improve stiffness. The massage aims to relax the muscles around the affected disc and nerves to prevent muscle spasms and stiffness.
Medications and injections
Your treatment plan can include a combination of oral medications, physical therapy, and rest to help you manage bulging disc symptoms. Epidural steroid injections can be effective for new disc herniation.
Surgery
You might need surgery to offer relief if you have severe pain due to a herniated disc. Before your doctor considers surgery, they must exhaust other treatments, including medications and injections. After healing from surgery, you can benefit from physical therapy exercises that can help strengthen your back.
If you have any herniated disc symptoms, visit Interventional Pain Management Associates for treatment. The highly-qualified medical team will perform extensive diagnostic testing to make an accurate diagnosis and offer appropriate testing. Call or schedule your appointment online and improve your spinal health.
Comments