CONDITION: Disc Herniation

DESCRIPTION:
Disc herniation occurs when the small, flat discs (composed of a tough, outer shell surrounding a jellylike material) that cushion the spine bulge or break open. When healthy, these discs act as shock absorbers for the spine and keep the spine flexible. When damaged by injury, wear-and-tear or disease, they herniate. Herniated discs can occur anywhere on the spine, but are most common in the lower back and the neck.

How does disc herniation develop?
Herniated discs are caused by the degeneration of the disc, aging or injury to the spine. Degeneration may result from tiny tears or cracks in the outer shell of the disc. The jellylike material inside the disc may be forced out through the tears or cracks, causing the disc to bulge, break open or break into fragments. A herniated disc may also develop as part of the normal aging process. After age 30, the nucleus of the disc begins to lose its fluid, increasing the chance of injury. Injury can occur from a sudden, heavy strain or increased pressure to the lower back. Repetitive activities, as well as prolonged exposure to vibration or sports-related injuries also increase the risk of disc herniation.

What are the symptoms of disc herniation ?
Symptoms of a herniated disc depend on its position. A herniated disc itself does not cause pain; the pain is a result of pressure on the nerve roots or spinal cord. If the disc is not pressing on the nerve, an individual may experience a low backache or no symptoms at all. If the disc presses on a nerve, pain or numbness may occur in the part of the body associated with the nerve. If the herniated disc is in the lower back, sciatica may occur, which involves leg pain and other nerve-related symptoms.

Conventional medical treatments may help relieve the symptoms of disc herniation, but they do not address the root of the problem. By strengthening structural weaknesses in the body, as natural medicine treatments like Prolotherapy do, pain associated with disc herniation may be alleviated permanently.

Discover why we believe that natural medicine treatments are the best way to treat disc herniation.

Learn about the treatments for Disc Herniation