Are You Ready to Put an End to Your Pain?
Do you ever find yourself complaining about persistent lower back pain? You could be suffering from a herniated disc. Herniated discs can occur anywhere along the spine, but they are most common in the lower back. Back pain can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, but in many cases, it is caused by a herniated disc.
According to The National Institute of Health, “The highest prevalence [of herniated disc cases] is among people aged 30-50 years, with a male to female ratio of 2:1. There is little evidence to suggest that drug treatments are effective in treating herniated discs.”
This is especially important because so many people rely on medication for relief, causing additional health issues.
It is estimated that 60% to 80% of people will suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives. A herniated disc is also referred to as a “bulging disc” or a “ruptured disc.” The treatment for this painful condition is the same regardless of the name, and physical therapy can help.
Patients of all ages can benefit from regular visits to a physical therapist and learn pain management techniques! Schedule an appointment with a physical therapist today at Aspen Rehabilitation to start your recovery journey!
What causes a herniated disc?
Spinal discs function similarly to shock absorbers. They are soft, rubbery pads that sit between the bony vertebrae that make up the spine. Spinal discs are composed of a thick outer cartilage ring and an inner gel-like material. They function to allow our backs to bend easily.
The spinal column also protects the delicate nerves and spinal cord. The gel-like substance can break through if the cartilage in your spinal disc is damaged or develops a defect. This herniation will put additional strain on the nerves. As a result, your lower back suffers from intense pain. Even minor pressure on your spinal nerves can result in numbness, weakness, and pain.
Herniated Discs and Sciatica
Sciatica is a condition that can occur if you have a herniated disc. Herniated discs in the lower back are so painful because they put extra pressure on the sciatic nerve.
The sciatic nerve is made up of several spinal nerve branches that travel down into the leg from the spine. If the sciatic nerve is pinched as a result of extra pressure, you will experience intense, uncomfortable pain radiating from the buttocks, down the back of the leg, and into the shin and foot.
The good news is that physical therapy can help to alleviate your pain! When you’re younger, your spinal discs are almost entirely water. However, as you age, your water content decreases. This causes the discs to become less flexible, increasing the likelihood of tears or other problems.
Some of the other common causes of herniated discs are:
- Heavy lifting, or lifting things incorrectly
- Impact sports
- Excessive body weight or obesity
- Traumatic injuries
- Repetitive twisting movements (workplace or sport injuries)
How can I tell if I have a herniated disc?
The symptoms of a herniated disc differ depending on where the injured disc is located on your spine.
Some of the more common symptoms you may encounter are as follows:
- Weakness in the legs
- Pain when bending or twisting
- Pain that intensifies when sitting, coughing, sneezing, or bending
- Burning, numbness, or tingling in the back, buttock, legs, and/or feet.
There is a solution to your problem that doesn’t involve costly surgeries or addictive medications. If you suspect you have a herniated disc or other back pain issues, physical therapy can help! We recommend that you schedule a consultation with our physical therapist as soon as possible.
How can physical therapy help?
Physical therapy is a pain treatment option that is completely safe, effective, and non-invasive. It is intended to assist patients of all ages in healing from injuries or age-related ailments. Our experienced physical therapists will use targeted therapy treatments to reduce and relieve back pain and inflammation, improve blood flow, and restore your range of motion.
Physical therapists are professionally trained to assess your condition and recommend the best exercises for you. Most of the exercises they will teach you can be done at home on your own, allowing you to continue treatment between appointments.
Come In & See Us Today!
Living with back pain is not easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. Contact our office today to learn more about how our skilled physical therapists can assess your current condition and develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
We’ll have you back to doing what you love in no time, pain-free!
