Herniated Discs Specialist

What is a herniated disc?

A herniated disc affects the rubbery cushion in-between your vertebrae. Each of your discs acts as a shock absorber in your spine and give it flexibility. If one of these rubbery cushions gets damaged, it can bulge or break open. When this happens, it’s called a herniated, slipped, or ruptured disc.

Any of your discs can herniate, but they’re most common in your neck and lower back.

What causes a herniated disc?

You can develop a herniated disc for several reasons, but they’re usually the result of aging or injury.

As you age, your discs begin to lose their flexibility and wear out. When this happens, they’re more vulnerable to damage.

You can also herniate a disc during physical activities that involve bending, twisting, and strain. These movements can cause the hard outer layer of your disc to break which allows the softer center to bulge out.

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?

Not all herniated discs cause symptoms, or you may only have mild complaints. When more intense symptoms do occur, it’s usually because they apply pressure to nerve roots in the area. If this happens, it’s common to experience symptoms like pain, weakness, and numbness that runs along the affected nerve, like you see with sciatica.

The symptoms of a herniated disc can also vary depending on which part of your spine is involved. For example, a herniated disc in your neck usually causes problems in your shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. A herniated disc in your lower spine, however, typically causes radiating pain down your leg.

No matter which part of your back is involved, specific actions, like coughing or sneezing, can increase your pain. Without treatment, a herniated disc can cause other back problems, like spinal stenosis.

How do you treat a herniated disc?

Dr. Oppong offer several different herniated disc treatments depending on the severity of your symptoms and its location.

Common herniated disc therapies often include:

• Medication therapy and management
• Topical treatments
• Cortisone injections
• Epidural steroid injections
• Selective nerve root blocks
• Physical therapy
• Aqua therapy

In some cases, Dr. Oppong might recommend a combination of medication and non-medication treatments to manage your herniated disc.

To learn more about herniated disc therapies, call Innovative Pain Solutions Centers or schedule an appointment online today.

Please click here to watch our Herniated Discs video!