No matter where it is located in your spine, a herniated disk can be incredibly painful. Revive Medical Center explains that the disks in your back are cushions that are somewhat rubbery and rest between each vertebra, i.e., the individual bones found in the spine. The center of the disk is soft, almost jellylike, and the exterior is rubbery. The inside of the cushion can push through and tear the disk’s exterior. This is what is called a herniated disk.
Signs of a Herniated Disk
The most common place where disks herniate in your spinal cord is in your lower back. The most common sign of a herniated disk is pain. Obviously, when the inner portion of the disk ruptures the outer portion you not only lose the cushioning between the bones but also deal with the pain of the bones rubbing together. Other signs of a herniated disk include
- Arm or leg pain caused by nerve compression
- Numbness or tingling in the arms, buttocks, or legs
- Muscle weakness caused by nerve compression
There are rare instances when you could have a herniated disk and not even know it. Depending on how the inner portion of the disk ruptures the outer portion, you may have disk herniation that is not accompanied by any of the symptoms listed above. In this case, the only way to tell that you have a herniated disk is through a spinal cord x-ray.
Causes of Herniated Disks
Knowing the causes of herniated disks can also help you determine whether you have one. For example, age and genetics can increase your chances of herniating a disk, so if you are older and have a family history of back problems, it’s a good idea to start taking care of your back and strengthening your core. Another thing that can herniate a disk is repetitive motion or lifting heavy objects.
Obesity can cause unnecessary stress on your back and increase your chances of a herniated disk. Oddly, smoking can also increase your chance of disk herniation because the damage that smoking causes to your body includes drying out the soft inner portions of the spinal disks. As the disks dry out, they are more susceptible to collapse and herniation.
The good news is that Revive Medical Center in Lawrenceville, GA, can help. One of the best treatments for herniated disks is chiropractic medicine. Realigning the spine allows the disk to restore its natural cushioning between the bones. This relieves the pain, numbness, tingling, and other discomforts associated with disk herniation.
