What is a Herniated Disc?
Your spine is made up of 33 vertebrae (bones) that are stacked on top of one another. Between each vertebra is a cushion-like piece of cartilage called an “intervertebral disc.” Imagine the disc as a tire, with gelatin filling the hole in the tire. The rubbery outer part is called the “annulus,” and the gelatin is called the “nucleus.” When we’re young—under 30 years of age—the disc is made mostly of gelatin. As we age, we start to lose some of that gelatin. The disc becomes flatter and less flexible, making it easier to injure. In some cases, the gelatin can push out through a crack in the rubbery exterior and lead to a herniation (bulge) or rupture (tear).
Herniated discs are most common in the neck (cervical spine) and lower back (lumbar spine). In the lower back, discs may become damaged by excessive wear and tear or an injury.
Your risk of developing a herniated disc increases due to:
How Can Physical Therapy Help?
Your physical therapist’s overall purpose is to help you continue to participate in your daily activities and life roles. The therapist will design a treatment program based on both the findings of the evaluation and your personal goals. Your treatment program most likely will include a combination of exercises.
Your therapist will design:
- Exercises that involve specific movements to relieve nerve pressure and decrease pain and other symptoms, especially during the early stages of treatment
- Stretching and flexibility exercises to improve mobility in the joints and the muscles of your spine, arms, and legs—improving motion in a joint can be key to pain relief
- Strengthening exercises—strong trunk muscles provide support for your spinal joints, and strong arm and leg muscles help take some of the workload off those joints
- Aerobic exercise has been proven to be helpful in relieving pain, promoting a healthy body weight, and improving overall strength and mobility—all important factors in managing a herniated disc
This might sound like a lot of exercise, but don’t worry: research shows that the more exercise you can handle, the quicker you’ll get rid of your pain and other symptoms.
Your physical therapist also might decide to use a combination of other treatments:
- Manual therapy to improve the mobility of stiff joints and tight muscles that may be contributing to your symptoms
- Posture and movement education to show you how to make small changes in how you sit, stand, bend, and lift—even in how you sleep—to help relieve your pain and help you manage your condition on your own
- Special pain treatments—such as ice, traction, and electrical stimulation—to reduce pain that is severe and not relieved by exercise or manual therapy
Once your pain is gone, it will be important for you to continue your new posture and movement habits to keep your back healthy.
Signs and Symptoms
You might have mild to intense neck or back pain—or no pain at all. Herniated discs sometimes show up on the diagnostic images of people who have no symptoms.
When the disc ruptures (“herniates”) and a portion of the disk pushes outside its normal boundaries, it can “pinch” or press on spinal nerves or the spinal cord. This condition is called “radiculopathy.” The pressure can lead to back pain, numbness, or weakness in the legs or arms.
The type and presentation of your symptoms depends on the location and the amount of pressure on the nerves:
- If you have a herniated disc in the cervical spine, you may have pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, or any combination of these symptoms in the arm, shoulder, or neck
- If you have a herniated disc in the lumbar spine, you may have pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, or any combination of these symptoms in the back, buttocks, or legs; most likely, your symptoms will be on only one side of your body
Often, symptoms from herniated discs are made worse by certain activities or positions. If you have a herniated disc in the lumbar spine:
- Pain may get worse with sitting, bending, and reaching
- Pain may be worst first thing in the morning and after staying in one position for a long time
- You may need to switch positions frequently
- You may prefer to stand rather than sit
If you have a herniated disc in the neck, symptoms are often worse with prolonged sitting and when lying down.
Customer Testimonials
Where Can You Find Us?
(941) 744-9046
2601 Manatee Avenue West Ste E
Bradenton, FL 34205
