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According to The National Institute of Health, “The highest prevalence [of herniated disc cases] is among people aged 30-50 years, with a male to female ratio of 2:1. There is little evidence to suggest that drug treatments are effective in treating herniated discs.” This is especially important because so many people try to lean on medication for relief, creating other health problems for themselves!
Do you ever complain of lower back pain that just won’t cease no matter what you do? You might have a herniated disc.
Herniated discs can occur anywhere along the spine, but the lower back area is the spot most commonly affected. Back pain can be caused by tons of different medical conditions, but it is the result of a herniated disc in many cases.
If you’re living with herniated disc pain, know that help is around the corner. Call Rising Sun Physical Therapy in San Francisco, CA today to find out how physical therapy can help you conquer your herniated disc pain once and for all!
Signs of a herniated disc
Symptoms associated with a herniated disc may vary depending on where the injured disc is located on your spine.
Some of the more common symptoms you may experience include:
- Weakness in the legs
- Pain when bending or twisting
- Pain that intensifies when sitting, coughing, sneezing, or bending
- Burning, numbness, or tingling in the back, buttock, legs, and/or feet.
There is a solution to your problem that doesn’t involve expensive surgeries or addictive medications. If you think you may have a herniated disc or other back pain issues, physical therapy can help! We recommend scheduling a consultation with our physical therapist as soon as possible.
Causes of herniated discs
It is estimated that 60% to 80% of people will experience lower back pain during their lifetime. We know that’s scary (and certainly not something to look forward to!) but physical therapy is a natural and safe method of treatment for this condition, should you experience it.
There are many other names used in reference to a herniated disc, such as a “bulging disc” and “ruptured disc.” Regardless of the name, the treatment for this painful condition is the same, and physical therapy can help. Patients of all ages can receive relief and learn pain management techniques with regular visits to a physical therapist!
Spinal discs are kind of like shock absorbers. They are soft and rubbery pads located between the bony vertebrae that help make up the spine. Spinal discs are made of a thick outer ring of cartilage and an inner gel-like material. They work to allow our backs to easily bend.
The spinal column also helps to protect the fragile nerves and your spinal cord. If the cartilage in your spinal disc is damaged or develops a defect, the gel-like substance can breakthrough. This herniation will result in added pressure on the nerves. The result is intense pain in your lower back.
Small amounts of pressure on your spinal nerves can cause numbness, weakness, and pain. It’s important to seek care for this pain as soon as you notice it, to prevent it from getting worse over time!
The sciatic nerve and herniated discs
Sciatica is a disorder that might develop if you have a herniated disc. The sciatic nerve is made up of several spinal nerve branches that run down into the leg from the spine. You will feel acute, excruciating pain radiating from the buttocks area, down the back of the leg, and into the shin and foot if the sciatic nerve is pinched due to additional pressure.
The good news is that physical therapy can work to reduce the pain caused by the condition! When you’re younger, your spinal discs are almost 80 percent water. As you get older, though, the water content lowers. This causes the discs to become less flexible and increases the risk of tears or other issues.
Some of the other common reasons for herniated discs include:
- Heavy lifting, or lifting things incorrectly
- Impact sports
- Excessive body weight or obesity
- Traumatic injuries
- Repetitive twisting movements (workplace or sports injuries)
How can physical therapy help with herniated disc pain?
Physical therapy is an alternative pain treatment. It is completely safe, effective, and non-invasive. It is intended to assist patients of all ages in recovering from injuries or age-related illnesses. To minimize and relieve back pain and inflammation, enhance blood flow, and restore range of motion, our professional physical therapist will use focused therapy treatments.
Physical therapists are professionally trained to evaluate your condition and provide the correct exercises to meet your needs. Most of the exercises they will teach you can be done on your own at home, so you can continue treatment outside of appointments.
Request an appointment on our website!
Living with back pain because of a herniated disc can truly be a damper on your mood and overall quality of life. The good news is that physical therapy treatment is available to you at Rising Sun Physical Therapy in San Francisco, CA and we’re happy to assist you in any way we can!
Call our clinic today to schedule an appointment, and begin your own recovery journey!
