If you’re learning about your chronic back pain, you’ve probably heard the terms herniated disc, bulging disc, slipped disc, spinal stenosis, and more used to describe possible causes of your pain. It’s important to note that while these terms all refer to a type of damage or degeneration in the spine, they all describe separate medical conditions, and in some cases, require different treatments. Only a physician can make a proper diagnosis for the cause of your chronic pain, so make sure you consult your doctor before pursuing medical treatment for pain that has lasted over three weeks.

Anatomy of an Intervertebral Disc

The function of an intervertebral disc is to provide a flexible cushion between vertebrae in the spinal column. In order to be strong enough to support the weight of your body, but flexible enough to bend, stretch, and twist, the intervertebral disc has two main components made of different substances. The annulus fibrosus is the tougher outer shell or wall of a disc and is composed mainly of cartilage fibers. The annulus fibrosus is the stronger portion of the disc that withstands constant pressure as you go about your daily routine, whether you’re sitting, walking, running, jumping, or standing up.

Inside the annulus fibrosus is a gel-like material that is more flexible and comprised mostly of water and collagen, called the nucleus pulposus. Once pressure and weight are placed onto the disc, the nucleus pulposus distributes this pressure by shifting within the disc and providing more or less cushion wherever needed. Together, the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus keep each spinal segment strong and flexible by reducing the amount of pressure that weighs down on a specific point.

Herniated Discs and Nerves

If the annulus fibrosus tears, the inner substance, the nucleus pulposus, may seep into the spinal column. When this situation occurs, the condition is called a herniated disc. It’s important to note that a herniated disc does not always cause pain. In fact, most people will have a herniated disc at some point in their lives without ever noticing. However, if the torn or bulging annulus fibrosus or leaking nucleus pulposus causes irritation of a nerve, the individual may experience chronic pain that’s localized on the torn disc, or that resonates from the problem area to other parts of the body.

The spinal cord has pairs of nerve roots protruding from every vertebral level, roughly located above and below the intervertebral discs, that divide into branches outside of the vertebral column to carry sensation and movement throughout the body. If one of these nerve roots or the spinal cord is irritated by a herniated disc, an individual may experience a wide range of symptoms that can travel along the length of the nerve. Depending on the location of the herniated disc, the individual will feel shooting pain that extends to either the upper or lower extremities. They may also feel muscle weakness and spasms, numbness in their limbs, or they can even have difficulty walking. Once the symptoms have reached this severity, it’s definitely time to consult a physician.

Causes and Risk Factors for Herniated Discs

Your risk for developing a herniated disc naturally increases throughout the course of your life. The aging process inevitably deteriorates your spinal anatomy, and part of this deterioration can be ruptures or tears of the intervertebral discs. While the aging process certainly takes its toll, herniated discs can also result from other causes and risk factors that directly affect your spine’s discs.

For instance, trauma that directly impacts the intervertebral discs is a very common cause of herniated discs. Whether you play an aggressive sport or you’ve been involved in an accident, too much pressure being placed on your intervertebral discs can cause them to rupture or tear, which may lead to a herniated disc and chronic pain in the back or neck. Also, if you lift heavy items, sit at a desk, or operate heavy, vibrating machinery on a daily basis, these activities can also wear down a disc over time and cause it to rupture. Other risk factors for herniated discs include obesity, being inactive, having poor posture, or substance abuse of alcohol or nicotine.

Diagnosis and Treatments

If you think you have a herniated disc, make sure to consult a doctor, as diagnosing a herniated disc isn’t always easy. Once you’ve received your diagnosis, your physician will likely recommend a number of conservative treatments that may relieve your pain. Physical therapy, pain medicine, and lifestyle changes may be able to dramatically reduce your pain. However, if your pain remains severe, you may need to consider having a surgical procedure. There are several surgical approaches available. Some surgeries aim to remove a portion of a damaged disc so that it does not press on nerve tissue anymore, while others will remove the damaged disc altogether. While all surgeries require recovery periods, there are endoscopic, or minimally invasive, spine procedures that reduce recovery time compared to traditional open spine surgeries, and have high success rates. Only a physician or surgeon can tell you whether or not your condition requires surgery, so consult a spine specialist in order to better understand your treatment options.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for the treatment of a herniated disc and several other spinal conditions.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for a herniated disc and several other spinal conditions. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/herniated_disc/

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for the treatment of a herniated disc and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Herniated Disc