Herniated Disc Symptoms - Can they be treated with conservative natural methods?
Large herniated discs have been found in some people that never caused them any pain. Small herniations in other people have caused terrible pain. The amount of pain a herniated disc will cause you really depends on where the herniation is in your spine. If the herniation is putting pressure on your spinal card or a nerve coming off your spinal cord, it can cause you unimaginable misery. Herniated disc symptoms in the lower back can feel like Electric Shock Pains radiating from your back to your buttock and down your leg. The pain can travel all the way to your foot. You could have Numbness and Tingling which you may describe as Pins and Needles running from your back down your leg as far as your foot. You could have Muscle Weakness in your legs and loss of knee and ankle reflexes. You may have muscle spasm or cramping in your back, buttock and leg. Herniated disc symptoms in the neck or upper back are neck pains which sometimes radiates into your shoulder, arm and hand. These symptoms may worsen when moving your body into certain positions or after bending, twisting, sitting, sneezing, coughing, or straining while going to the bathroom. All of these things increase the pressure on discs. Disc herniations are usually the result of wear and tear on the spine over time. Sometimes they are caused by a trauma, fall or lifting injury. Whether it happens slowly over time or suddenly from an injury, what actually occurs in a herniation is that the soft jelly-like center of a disc is forced through the harder outer layers of the disc. Diagnosis of disc herniation is usually made by a chiropractor or orthopedist after he/she performs a thorough history, physical exam and certain tests like x-ray, myelogram, MRI or CT scan. Like most things in life it is easier to prevent a disc herniation by maintaining good spinal health throughout life than it is to try to recover from one once it occurs. If you have been diagnosed with a herniation there are a number of treatments that have been successful at bringing about relief.
For a review of the best treatments for disc herniation and which ones to try before considering surgery, click here. If conservative treatment is not affective at pain relief there is still over the counter and prescription pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medication, spinal injections and many surgical options. The good news about disc herniations is that they can get smaller and even totally disappear after a period of conservative care. There are chiropractic techniques aimed specifically at helping your body absorb the herniation. But even if the herniation is made just a little smaller through conservative methods, a major amount of pain can be relieved. In very rare cases your herniated disc symptoms can lead to a dangerous condition due to compression of certain lower spinal nerves. When this happens you could have pain, weakness, decreased sensation around your bowel and bladder area and difficulty keeping your toes from slapping the ground while walking (foot drop). You could also feel numbness or pain on the top of your foot. This condition is a medical emergency that may require emergency surgery to prevent permanent loss of bowel and bladder control or paralysis of your legs. Call your medical provider immediately. To your best health, Dr. Cliff
Best Treatment for Back Pain Return from Herniated Disc Symptoms to Back Pain Treatment and Relief
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