Herniated Disc Injuries: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

Many people suffer from herniated disc injuries and the many health problems they cause.  A herniated disc occurs when the spinal disc that separates one vertebra from another is pushed away from its natural state.  When this natural cushion between vertebrae occurs, the result can often be a painful strain on vital nerves in the spine.

To deal with herniated disc injuries, it's important to understand fully the complex relationship between a herniated disc, pinched nerves, and the overall health of the body.

Causes of a Herniated Disc

A herniated disc can be caused by an injury such as a fall or a car accident, but many times a herniated disc is something that happens over time.  Long-term manual labor involving a lot of bending can cause a disc to herniated, although it also occurs to people in an office environment.  

Poor posture is a major contributor to developing a herniated disc.  The constant strain caused by poor posture can and will eventually cause the spine to fall out of alignment, pushing a spinal disc out of place, which can lead to pinched nerves.

Sometimes a herniated disc can be caused by a condition called spinal stenosis, which is a general shrinking of the padding between vertebrae that helps relieve pressure on the nerves.  Because of the already existing problem with adequate space between vertebrae, a herniated disc can really be the straw that broke the camel's back.

Symptoms that Indicate Severe Back Injuries

The symptoms of a herniated disc can vary in type and intensity.  Eventually, a herniated disc will cause the nerves in that region of the spine to become pinched, which is a lot like putting a pinch in a water hose when it's running.  

The impulses of information going through the nerves in the spine will lose strength, cause irritation, and become more erratic.  This can cause pain that reverberates throughout the body leading to health problems ranging from fatigue or numbness in the muscles to digestive problems.

Treatment of a Herniated Disc

There are several ways to approach the treatment of a herniated disc.  Traditional medical treatment involves first a diagnosis of the exact problem.  Your doctor will likely take an X-ray, or physically try to determine the exact location of where the pain is coming from.  

After that, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication, muscle relaxers, or other medications that are determined on an individual specific basis.  Rest and applying ice and/or heat to the damaged area is always a good idea as well.

Your doctor may recommend spinal decompression, which is a painless and affordable procedure often done my chiropractic professionals.  Spinal decompression is a very popular method of treating a herniated disc, as it safely and slowly separates the distance between each vertebra, leading to relief of pain and eventually, a straighter back.  Additional physical therapy may be a good idea to help maintain the health of the spine.

Herniated discs can be very painful injuries that afflict thousands annually.  As a matter of fact, it's been estimated that nearly 30% of Americans under the age of 30 suffer from a herniated disc.  Dealing with a herniated disc does not have to be a lifelong problem, and with the right treatment, the symptoms of the injury can be reversed, leading to a better life all around.