What causes discs to herniate?
Many factors decrease the strength and resiliency of
the disc and increase the risk of disc herniation. Life
style choices such as smoking, lack of regular exercise,
and inadequate nutrition contribute to poor disc
health. Poor posture, daily wear and tear, injury or
trauma, and incorrect lifting or twisting further stress
the disc. If the disc is already weakened, it may
herniate with a single movement or strain such as
coughing or bending to pick up a pencil.
How do I know if I have a disc herniation?
Herniated discs are most likely to affect people
between the ages of 30 and 40. Disc herniations may be
present without causing pain. The most common symptom
will be pain in the area of the herniation that may
radiate across the hips or into the buttocks. You may
also experience numbness or pain radiating down your leg
to the ankle or foot. If the herniation is large
enough, you may notice weakness with extension of your
big toe and you may be unable to walk on your toes or
heels. In severe cases of lumbar disc herniation, you
may experience changes in your bowel or bladder function
and may have difficulty with sexual function.
How is a disc herniation treated?
Mild to moderate disc herniations can usually be
treated conservatively with stretching, exercise therapy
and chiropractic care. More advanced cases will often
require some form of spinal decompression, such as
traction or mechanical decompression, in conjuction with
chiropractic care.
Occasionally, a herniation may be severe enough to
warrant surgical intervention. These cases are usually
reserved as a last resort when other forms of therapy
have failed to relieve pain, or if there is significant
compression of the spinal cord or nerves.
Call us at (215)340-9949 to receive
relief now. |