How do you know whether you have a herniated disc or if the discomfort you’re feeling is due to back pain?
One telltale sign can be where the pain is located. With a herniated disc, the pain is typically located in the lumbar spine or the lower part of your backbone. This pain might radiate from the back to the thighs, buttocks, or calves. A herniated disc can cause pain whether you’re resting or active. Even a cough or sneeze can cause pain as it puts pressure on pinched nerves.
If you’re dealing with unexplained pain, contact IMG Physical Therapy today to set up a consultation and find out if your back is due to a herniated disc.
How can I know if I have a herniated disc?
Herniated discs can be very painful injuries that impact your everyday life. The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to get surgery to repair your herniated disc. Studies have shown that 90% of patients were able to recover by pursuing non-surgical courses of treatment like physical therapy. That percentage is a testament to how effective physical therapy is in the treatment of a herniated disc!
The purpose of spinal discs is to act as shock absorbers when you engage in daily activities, like walking, sitting, lifting, and running. Each disc has a soft inner ring and a tough outer ring. When the outer ring is injured, the inner ring may protrude out and cause pain. Common causes of a herniated disc include weak muscles, age, being overweight, or leading a sedentary lifestyle. And if you turn suddenly, you can also end up with a herniated disc!
A good way to determine if you have a herniated disc is to visit your physician. Likely, your doctor will do a physical exam and may even take an x-ray. While an x-ray won’t show a herniated disc, it can help rule out other causes of your pain like a fracture. If your doctor recommends having an MRI, this test can show detailed 3-D images of the spinal cord and pinpoint if there is a herniated disc. It also shows which nerves are affected.
Symptoms of herniated discs
The most frequent symptoms of a herniated disc include:
- Pain in the arms and legs. The exact location of where the pain will feel most severe depends on where the herniated disc develops along the spine. Pain associated with a herniated disc is frequently shooting pain, and maybe most intense after movement, or following a cough or sneeze.
- Numbness and tingling in the back or extremities. Since a herniated disc is along the spinal cord, the development of this pain may cause numbness or tingling throughout other parts of the body associated with the afflicted nerves.
- Weakness, especially in the legs or grip. A herniated disc will compromise the comfort and strength of the spine, and therefore may impair your ability to comfortably hold items, or may cause you to stumble frequently.
How physical therapy can help ease herniated disc pain
Physical therapists are trained movement specialists who know how to find and target the source of your pain and keep it from coming back.
A physical therapist will have you engage in specific exercises to ease the pain and strengthen the muscles associated with a herniated disc. Physical therapy programs also include ultrasound therapy, deep tissue massage, ice and heat treatment, stretching exercises, electrical muscle stimulation, and aerobic exercises.
Active treatments like exercise for a herniated disc focus on core stability, flexibility, and muscle strengthening. Keep in mind that core muscles help support the spine. Learning proper stretching and flexibility techniques will help your body move easier. Muscle strengthening creates a solid support system for the spine and helps relieve pain.
Passive treatments by a physical therapist include hot and cold therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and deep tissue massage. Heat therapy increases blood flow to the target area and enhances healing. Cold therapy reduces inflammation and muscle spasm due to a herniated disc. TENS uses tiny electric currents to trigger endorphins and reduce pain. Deep tissue massage stimulates an increase in oxygen and nutrients for pain relief and healing.
A physical therapist will also teach ways to exercise and alleviate pain symptoms at home. This way, you can prevent further injury and enjoy the long-term effects of physical therapy. With physical therapy, you’re an active participant in your recovery.
Call our clinic today for a schedule an appointment
Relying on pain medication to cope with back pain is not ideal. If you are struggling with chronic pain as a result of a herniated disc, then physical therapy may be the most effective form of therapy in alleviating your discomfort. For more information about treating back pain associated with a herniated disc, contact IMG Physical Therapy today to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled therapists.
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