Herniated Disc – Relief and Recovery of a Herniated Disc

By Alan P Turner

Okay you have been diagnosed with a herniated disc. Now What!? Your doctor has probably given you some options from rest to surgery. Let us look at what is involved in the repair and recovery from a herniated disc. If I used my situation as an example, it should give you a good idea of what’s involved.

Last year I was injured at work since then I have explored and experienced most of the procedures currently being used. Here is a look at two procedures that a doctor will probably recommend.

1. Rest: The first thing the doctor did was recommend rest for a couple of days. Be advised that spending several days in bed is not the best thing to do. Recent research strongly suggest that extended bed rest only prolongs the problem and weakens already stressed muscles. A couple of days is okay, but even then you need to get up every hour or so and move. A short walk around the house, some neck and shoulder rolls and gentle stretching is a good practice to follow.

2. Physical Therapy: Next it was off to a physical therapist for some expert help with proper exercise and movement techniques. I do feel the PT was worth the time and expense (I was covered by workman’s comp) I “enjoyed” the attention and was satisfied with my therapist. However It did not fully repaired and recovery from my disc.

Now these procedures are non-invasive meaning that they do not enter the body through injection or surgery and are basically risk free. Do they repair and speed recovery of your disc problem? Maybe, for some this is all that is needed. For me I had to undergo more invasive procedures which I will share with you in another article.

The key to repairing and recovery is finding a life long program of exercise that will prevent back problems in the first place and repair your back if you are injured. But how do you prevent, repair, recover and cure a herniated disc? How do you lose the pain and get on with your life? Well the answer is to find a system that strengthens the back and abdominal muscles correcting muscle imbalance.

One of the top rated programs is This program developed by The Healthy Back Institute has helped thousands to lose their back pain for good. Back Pain This The Lose The Back Pain System custom designs a program of specific movements and exercises tailored to your exact needs.

Living pain free and recovering from your back pain is possible. Your journey starts with taking the first step. Take that step now and start living Pain Free Today! I hope this article was healthful and aids you in living a healthy and active life. For more FREE INFO, TIPS, VIDEOS, Etc. Wellness Secrets

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_P_Turner

This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.

Herniated Disc Resources

Herniated Disc – Mayo Clinic
Herniated Disc Overview

Diagnosed With a Herniated Disc?

Get the facts on what really causes it and how to get relief

What is a herniated disc?

You’ve probably heard people say they have a “slipped” or “ruptured” disc in the back. Sometimes they complain that their back “went out”. What they’re most likely describing is a herniated disc. This condition is a common source of back and leg pain.

CLICK HERE For Very Important Herniated Disc Information

Discs are soft cushions found between the vertebrae that make up the spinal column (your backbone). In the middle of the spinal column is the spinal canal, a hollow space that contains the spinal cord. The nerves that supply the arms, leg, and torso come from the spinal cord. The nerves from the neck supply the arms and hands, and the nerves from the low back supply the butt and legs. The discs between the vertebrae allow the back to move freely and act like shock absorbers.
The disc is made up of two main sections. The outer part (the annulus) is made up of tough cartilage that is comprised of series of rings. The center of the disc is a jelly-like substance called the nucleus pulposus. A disc herniates or ruptures when part of the jelly center pushes through the outer wall of the disc into the spinal canal, and puts pressure on the nerves. A disc bulge is when the jelly substance pushes the outer wall but doesn’t completely go through the wall.

What do you feel?

Low back pain will affect four out of five people during their lifetime. The most common symptom of a herniated disc is “sciatica”. Sciatica is best described as a sharp, often shooting pain that begins in the buttocks and goes down the back of one leg. This is most often caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve that exits the spinal cord. Other symptoms include:

• Weakness in one leg or both legs
• Numbness and tingling in one leg (pins & needles)
• A burning pain centered in the low back
• Loss of bladder or bowel control (seek medical attention immediately)
• Back pain with gradually increasing leg pain.

(If you have weakness in both legs. Seek immediate attention.)

How do you know you have a herniated disc?

Your medical history is key to a proper diagnosis. A physical examination can usually determine which nerve roots are affected (and how seriously). A simple x-ray may show evidence of disc or degenerative spine changes. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is usually the best option (most expensive) to determine which disc has herniated.

Why do discs herniate?

Discs are primarily composed of water. As we become older (after the age of 30), the water content decreases, so the discs begin to shrink and lose their shape. When the disc becomes smaller the space between the vertebrae decreases and become narrower. Also, as the disc loses water content the disc itself becomes less flexible.

While aging, excess weight, improper lifting and the decrease in water in the discs all contribute to the breaking down of discs, the primary cause of a herniation or bluge is uneven compression and torsion that’s placed on the discs.

This uneven pressure is caused by imbalances in muscles that pull the spine out of it’s normal position and then your body is forced to function in what I call a physical dysfunction. Every human being develops these dysfunctions over time and eventually they cause enough damage to create pain.

The best treatment options

When it comes to treating a herniated disc, there are traditional treatments such as ice/heat, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, cortisone injections, anti-inflammatory medications and even surgery. While these may deliver some relief, it will usually be temporary if at all.

But the major problem with these traditional treatments is that they can’t fix or heal a herniated disc as they do not address the actual cause of the problem. For example, even if you were to have a surgery and get some pain relief, the fact is the dysfunctions that caused the disc to herniated in the first place are still there and if not addressed, they will continue to place uneven pressure and strain on the discs and sooner or later you will likely have another problem with that disc, or others.

Without identifying and addressing the underlying cause of the problem, which is the physical dysfunctions caused by imbalances in muscles, you will likely continue to suffer with this condition and the continuous flare ups for years.

Unfortunately, most doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists don’t spend time or focus on identifying the physical dysfunctions that are responsible for the condition so most people end up jumping from one useless traditional treatment to the next and suffer for months or years unnecessarily.

If you have been diagnosed with a herniated disc, or are wondering if your back pain may be caused by a herniated disc, either way you must identify and address the physical dysfunctions that are causing your pain.

About the Author: For more information on herniated discs and how to treat them effectively, read the latest Back Pain Advisory from The Healthy Back Institute. You can get a free copy of it here: http://www.losethebackpain.com/herniateddisc.html

This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.

Herniated Disc Resources

What is a herniated disc?
Herniated Disc Guide