Invasive And Non-Invasive Methods For Damaged Disc Treatment

| Saturday, September 24, 2011
By Amy Jenkins


Back pain can be a serious problem. If you have an excruciating pain in your back that cannot be relieved by pain killers or inflammatory drugs, it could be a 'slipped' disc. A 'slipped' disc is a herniated or damaged and it can be serious and often will be extremely painful. Diagnosis and bulging disc treatment of this type of problem is very important as it can lead to severe symptoms.

The problem occurs most often in the lower back or lumber region. Lifting heavy objects incorrectly puts strain on the vertebrae and muscles. Having strong stomach muscles and keeping correct posture while lifting are essential to help prevent straining your back and injuring your discs.

The symptoms of an injured disc are numerous and vary widely depending on the location and severity of the injury. Sharp pains down the leg or sciatica is very common. The pain shoots from the hip through the thigh and can also cause tingling in the foot. Lack of strength in the legs and arms can also be a sign of a herniated disc. If the problem is left untreated paralysis and incontinence can occur. In these cases bulging disc treatment can vary widely from home therapy to surgery.

The spine is made up of vertebrae which are separated by little cushions that prevent them grinding together. These little cushions are made up of a hard outer shell with a softer jelly like center. When the outer shell cracks the jelly inside pushes at the crack and instead of a smooth circle there is a bobble which can push into the numerous nerves which run up the center of the spine.

In the case of a large protrusion, it can cause compression of the spinal column affecting the nerves controlling the bladder and in extreme cases, paralysis. It is vital to determine the exact location and size of the protrusion before treatment progresses.

One way to treat minor herniations is with anti-inflammatory drugs combined with exercises to squeeze the bulge back into place. Yoga, physiotherapy and osteopathy may all be helpful combined with the drugs. Manipulation of the spine can only be performed once the tense muscles which are protecting the damaged area have been relaxed. Following a treatment it is important to maintain good posture with an arch in the back as much as possible to keep the disc in position while the split heals. Wearing a posture brace which supports and aligns the spine is often recommended in the early stages of treatment.

When the damage is too severe, surgery might be needed to remove the disc. There are various options such as a discectomy or microdiscectomy which can relieve the pressure on the spinal cord. When the disc is remove often the vertebrae are fused together, this can lead to the problem recurring further up the spine. These solutions are radical and you should seek the advice of specialist before proceeding.

The most important factor before starting any bulging disc treatment it to be sure of where the damage is and how severe. Normal X-rays rarely show sufficient when the disc is herniated. MRI scans are much more accurate at revealing the extent of the damage.




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