If you've been experiencing back pain for more than a few weeks, chances are it's not just due to muscle strain. Instead, a disc herniation may be the reason for your discomfort. If left untreated, this condition can worsen and result in permanent nerve damage. Read on to learn everything you need to know about disc herniations and how to treat any pain associated with them.
What Is a Herniated Disk?
A herniated disc occurs when the tough, outer layer of one or more intervertebral discs is torn. The inner jelly-like material then protrudes outward through the tear and presses on a nerve root in your spine, causing pain and other unpleasant symptoms.
The best chiropractic doctors can help reduce inflammation with spinal adjustments to relieve pressure from bulging disks while providing advice for how best to manage any injury that has been caused by excessive wear and tear or an accident.
Symptoms of Herniated Discs
Herniated disks can occur in the neck but most frequently occur in the lower back. Symptoms and signs of a herniated disk depend on where it's occurring in the body and if it's pressing on any type of nerve. Some of the most common symptoms include:
Low Back Discomfort: This is the most common symptom of a herniated disc. It can be felt as pain, stiffness, or weakness in your lower back.
Leg pain: it's quite common to feel pain in the thigh, buttocks, and calf area. You may also have tingling or shooting pain in the leg.
Numbness: You may experience feelings of weakness, pins, and needles, or numbness in the arm or leg.
Weakness: You may feel weaker in the arm or leg.
Limited range of motion: Moving in specific ways will cause pain and difficulty with movement. You might have trouble getting in and out of the car or bending down to pick something up.
What Increases Your Risk of A Herniated Disk?
There are many things that can cause a herniated disk. These include:
Excess weight, which puts more pressure on the spine and causes discs to weaken over time.
Aging or aging-related conditions such as arthritis may make it difficult for joints in your back to move smoothly and put undue stress on disks.
Injury from trauma (car accident, sports injury) may cause damage resulting in disc herniation; this is especially true with younger adults who have not yet fully matured.
How To Find Disc Herniations Treatment in Falls Iowa?
If you're looking to find a way to relieve the pain you may be feeling with a disc herniation, you thankfully have a few options that don't require surgery. The most common include:
Physiotherapy
Dr. Rasmussen and Dr. Dugger will work closely with you to determine the best course of treatment based on your age and the severity of your condition. In some cases, they might recommend physiotherapy for lower back pain, which can help relieve this issue.
Exercise
Strengthening specific muscles can help to support and stabilize the spine. This might include exercises designed to strengthen your core, back, and other major muscle groups in the body.
Maintain A Healthy Weight
If you're overweight, losing a few pounds can help to alleviate the pressure on your spine and prevent further damage.
Maintain Good Posture
When working sitting on a desk, try to keep your spine as straight and supported as possible. When standing or walking, maintain an upright posture to evenly distribute the weight between both feet.
Book A Session With the chiropractic doctors in Cedar Falls Iowa at Cedar Valley Chiropractic.
Book an appointment with Cedar Valley Chiropractic Sport and Spine today. We can help relieve your back pain and any other discomfort related to disc hernations, providing relief through muscular treatments or adjustments.
Book an appointment here or call us at 319-268-9009.