Common term”Slipped Disc”, also known as Prolapsed, Bulging, Herniated or Extruded Disc,Cervical Disc Injury and Spinal Disc Injury,Discs are the soft but strong cushions that separate the bones (vertebrae) in your spine and absorb shock as you move. Repeated strain over time, an injury, or sudden, forceful movements can damage discs and irritate nerves, causing pain, numbness, or tingling in your back, legs, neck, and arms.

Call 02476 222002.Registered with BUPA. AXA  PPP. HSA. AVIVA. Simplyhealth. Standard Life. Mercia health. BHSF. Pru health .Cigna Police health care scheme Medicare  Medisure. Medicash and all other healthcare insurers .

Disc Problems

What Causes Disc Problems?

Discs are the soft but strong cushions that separate the bones (vertebrae) in your spine and absorb shock as you move. Repeated strain over time, an injury, or sudden, forceful movements can damage discs and irritate nerves, causing pain, numbness, or tingling in your back, legs, neck, and arms.

Common Slipped Disc, Neck Disc Injury

A Slipped Disc or (Disc Prolapsed) in the neck is a common cause of neck pain. Slipped disc treatment during the early stages involves limited mobilisation. Later, more active physical therapy rehabilitation is useful. During the later stages neck pain treatment can be enhanced if a Pillow is used to support the neck.

Common Slipped Disc Neck Disc injury signs & symptoms:

• Patients with a slipped disc in the neck may experience severe neck pain.
• Sometimes there is neck and shoulder pain or pain in the arm.
• There may be weakness or a loss of sensation in the arms or hands.

Common Slipped Disc in the Lower Back, signs & symptoms.

   What are the symptoms of a low back slipped disc?

1 The first symptom would be mild pain along with a tingling, aching affect.

2 Then the symptoms develop to irritating pain, swelling and heat in the region of rupture.

 3 Muscle weakness and problems in sitting, lying, walking or even standing for long periods 

These are the symptoms of this condition. Besides these, some other complications arise if the nerves of some of the respective areas suffer pinching of the discs.

If the Slipped disc presses against the sciatic nerve, the pain from the back will reach into the buttocks and then moves down into one or both legs and to areas like thighs, cuffs, or ankles. The nerves of the bowel and kidneys pass through the lumbar region. The protrusion of any of these nerves can cause bowel irregularity and kidney disorders.

Healthy Disc

A disc has a spongy, gel-like centre (nucleus) and a tough outer ring (annulus). The vertebrae rock back and forth and rotate on the discs, allowing you to move easily.

Can Chiropractic Care Help Me?

Your doctor of chiropractic looks at your overall health-focusing not only on your discs but also on your lifestyle. This total approach to wellness helps determine the best treatment for your problem.

You’re Health History

To help find the cause of your disc problem, you and your chiropractor discuss your symptoms. You might have a disc problem, for example, if it’s painful to cough or sneeze. Your doctor of chiropractic also discusses prior injuries, your health history, and your lifestyle, including work-related and leisure activities.

Physical Exam

Physical, orthopaedic (bone and muscle), and neurological (nerve) tests can help reveal the condition of your discs. Your chiropractor gently moves your spine and legs to locate muscle tightness and show how well each vertebra moves.

Tests

X-rays may be done to reveal any problems with your vertebrae. If needed, other imaging tests, such as an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), may be used to show detailed images of discs, nerves, and other soft tissue.

Diagnosis

Based on the results of your exam and tests, your doctor of chiropractic may recommend a treatment program to help realign your vertebrae, relieve irritation on your spinal nerves, and reduce pain. If needed, your chiropractor also consults with or refers you to other medical specialists.

Causes and Risk Factors of Cervical disc injuries

Most cervical disc syndromes are caused by injuries that involve hyperextension, which results in compression of the anatomic structures.

Flexion injuries in the cervical area do not result in nerve compression.

Symptoms of Cervical disc injuries

Pain, loss of sensation or new sensations, and weakness are the main symptoms and signs of cervical disc injury. The most common symptom is pain and it is usually the only one. Rarely, cervical disc injury is complicated by compression of either a cervical nerve root or even more rarely by a compression of the spinal cord. When compression of the nervous tissue occurs, patients will report abnormal sensations other than pain and will report loosing strength in one arm (nerve root compression) or in both arms and legs (spinal cord compression).

1. Pain is the most common complaint and can be felt in the neck or arm.

a. Pain is usually limited to the neck and upper back between the shoulder blades. It occurs because of low-grade inflammation of the disc and the cervical vertebra joints. While the disease is chronic, inflammation can flare up after a minor added injury or for other reasons that are not yet well understood. Less commonly, neck and shoulder pain occur because the disc bulges acutely (herniates) and stretches the posterior longitudinal ligament. With conservative treatment, this pain usually goes away in a few weeks, but it is likely to happen again, especially if the affected individual does not change his/her lifestyle.

b. Rarely, the pain will be felt down the arm. This pain can be lightning, caused or aggravated by movements of the neck, or can be dull and persistent. Pre-existing neck pain is also present in many individuals. After the arm pain starts, some people report feeling less pain in their neck. When arm pain is present, it is usual

Herniated Disc? Also known as Prolapsed, Bulging. Slipped. Extruded Disc. 

Spinal Discs (Back and Lower Back)

Spinal Intervertebral discs are small, round cushions between the vertebrae of the spinal column that have a tough, fibrous tissue on the outside and a watery, gelatinous material inside. The purpose of these discs is to cushion each vertebrae during movement. A herniated disc is a disc that has bulged or ruptures from its proper place. It may press on nearby nerves and cause severe pain.

Cause of a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc occurs when the disc is damaged by a number of situations. Some of the most common causes of a disc injury are:

• A fall or accident
• Repeated straining of your back
• A sudden strain on the back from lifting or twisting violently
• Degeneration of the disc from aging
• Spontaneous herniation can occur without any specific injury

When the disc is damaged, the soft rubbery centre of the disc squeezes out through a weak point in the fibrous outer layer, causing a bulge that often presses on nearby nerves.

Symptoms of a herniated disc may begin suddenly or gradually. Sudden aching in the back or neck or being unable to straighten without extreme pain are signs of herniated disc problems. Numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both arms is another sign of herniated discs.

Other common symptoms of a herniated disc include:

Pain that Radiates to the Legs
Pain that travels to the legs or feet may feel like a shooting pain or electric shock. This type of pain may be from a disc pressing against the nerve.

Numbness or Tingling
Any sensation of numbness, tingling or the feeling of a part of the body ‘falling asleep’ can indicate a disc problem. This sensation may occur in the legs or areas surrounding the spine.

Muscle Weakness
If the nerve is involved, it may interfere with muscle contractions and reflexes.

Bladder Problems
Problems with bladder or bowel function is a serious symptom of a herniated disc that should be treated and evaluated immediately.

All of these symptoms may be caused by a herniated disc pressing against the spinal nerves.

A  Chiropractor or Physiotherapist can often diagnose a herniated disc by a physical examination that tests sensation, muscle strength, and reflexes. The following diagnostic tests are often necessary to diagnose a herniated disc:

• x-rays
• CT scan
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• electromyography
• myelography
• diskography

Treatment of a Herniated Disc

Conservative treatment may relieve most cases of herniated disc pain and allow the body to heal the disc over time. Early treatment may include:

• Rest. By resting the back there is time for the body to reabsorb the herniated part of the disc and heal
• Anti inflammatory medications  
• Hot or cold packs, depending on your doctor’s recommendation
• Traction, (putting bones or muscles under tension to keep them from moving or to relieve pressure on them)
• Massage
• Chiropractic and Physiotherapy
• Steroid injections into the space near the herniated disc to control pain and inflammation.

As the pain lessens, you will most likely begin, Chiropractic or Physiotherapy to strengthen your back muscles and joints Sometimes disc problems require surgery.

The acute pain from a herniated disk should go away within a few weeks, but some pain may remain for a few months. Backaches may be common in those with a history of disk problems, therefore continual back strengthening and stretching exercises are recommended throughout life. Good biomechanics are also essential to protect the spine when lifting exercising.

Prevention includes:

• Using good posture and proper lifting techniques
• Avoid standing in one place for long periods of time
• Stretch often when sitting for long periods of time
• Use chairs with good back support
• Sleep on a firm mattress
• Sleep on your side not your stomach
• Stop and rest often while on long road trips

Avoid returning too quickly to activity or exercise or you may risk aggravating your injury, which could lead to permanent damage.

Risk of a herniated discs is decreased by maintaining good core strength  and strong, flexible muscles.

Causes and Risk Factors of Cervical disc injuries

Most cervical disc syndromes are caused by injuries that involve hyperextension, which results in compression of the anatomic structures.

Flexion injuries in the cervical area do not result in nerve compression.

Symptoms of Cervical disc injuries

Pain, loss of sensation or new sensations, and weakness are the main symptoms and signs of cervical disc injury. The most common symptom is pain and it is usually the only one. Rarely, cervical disc injury is complicated by compression of either a cervical nerve root or even more rarely by a compression of the spinal cord. When compression of the nervous tissue occurs, patients will report abnormal sensations other than pain and will report loosing strength in one arm (nerve root compression) or in both arms and legs (spinal cord compression).

1. Pain is the most common complaint and can be felt in the neck or arm.

a. Pain is usually limited to the neck and upper back between the shoulder blades. It occurs because of low-grade inflammation of the disc and the cervical vertebra joints. While the disease is chronic, inflammation can flare up after a minor added injury or for other reasons that are not yet well understood. Less commonly, neck and shoulder pain occur because the disc bulges acutely (herniates) and stretches the posterior longitudinal ligament. With conservative treatment, this pain usually goes away in a few weeks, but it is likely to happen again, especially if the affected individual does not change his/her lifestyle.

b. Rarely, the pain will be felt down the arm. This pain can be lightning, caused or aggravated by movements of the neck, or can be dull and persistent. Pre-existing neck pain is also present in many individuals. After the arm pain starts, some people report feeling less pain in their neck. When arm pain is present, it is usual.

Herniated Disc? Also known as Prolapsed, Bulging. Slipped. Extruded Disc. 

Spinal Discs (Back and Lower Back)

Spinal Intervertebral discs are small, round cushions between the vertebrae of the spinal column that have a tough, fibrous tissue on the outside and a watery, gelatinous material inside. The purpose of these discs is to cushion each vertebrae during movement. A herniated disc is a disc that has bulged or ruptures from its proper place. It may press on nearby nerves and cause severe pain.

Cause of a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc occurs when the disc is damaged by a number of situations. Some of the most common causes of a disc injury are:

• A fall or accident
• Repeated straining of your back
• A sudden strain on the back from lifting or twisting violently
• Degeneration of the disc from aging
• Spontaneous herniation can occur without any specific injury

When the disc is damaged, the soft rubbery centre of the disc squeezes out through a weak point in the fibrous outer layer, causing a bulge that often presses on nearby nerves.

Symptoms of a herniated disc may begin suddenly or gradually. Sudden aching in the back or neck or being unable to straighten without extreme pain are signs of herniated disc problems. Numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both arms is another sign of herniated discs.

Other common symptoms of a herniated disc include:

Pain that Radiates to the Legs
Pain that travels to the legs or feet may feel like a shooting pain or electric shock. This type of pain may be from a disc pressing against the nerve.

Numbness or Tingling
Any sensation of numbness, tingling or the feeling of a part of the body ‘falling asleep’ can indicate a disc problem. This sensation may occur in the legs or areas surrounding the spine.

Muscle Weakness
If the nerve is involved, it may interfere with muscle contractions and reflexes.

Bladder Problems
Problems with bladder or bowel function is a serious symptom of a herniated disc that should be treated and evaluated immediately.

All of these symptoms may be caused by a herniated disc pressing against the spinal nerves.

A  Chiropractor can often diagnose a herniated disc by a physical examination that tests sensation, muscle strength, and reflexes. The following diagnostic tests are often necessary to diagnose a herniated disc:

• x-rays
• CT scan
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• electromyography
• myelography
• diskography

Treatment of a Herniated Disc

Conservative treatment may relieve most cases of herniated disc pain and allow the body to heal the disc over time. Early treatment may include:

• Rest. By resting the back there is time for the body to reabsorb the herniated part of the disk and the heal
• Anti inflammatory medications  
• Hot or cold packs, depending on your doctor’s recommendation
• Traction, (putting bones or muscles under tension to keep them from moving or to relieve pressure on them)
• Massage
• Chiropractic and Physiotherapy
• Steroid injections into the space near the herniated disc to control pain and inflammation.

As the pain lessens, you will most likely begin, Chiropractic or Physiotherapy to strengthen your back muscles and joints Sometimes disc problems require surgery.

The acute pain from a herniated disc should go away within a few weeks, but some pain may remain for a few months. Backaches may be common in those with a history of disc problems; therefore continual back strengthening and stretching exercises are recommended throughout life. Good biomechanics are also essential to protect the spine when lifting exercising.

Prevention includes:

• Using good posture and proper lifting techniques
• Avoid standing in one place for long periods of time
• Stretch often when sitting for long periods of time
• Use chairs with good back support
• Sleep on a firm mattress
• Sleep on your side not your stomach
• Stop and rest often while on long road trips

Avoid returning too quickly to activity or exercise or you may risk aggravating your injury, which could lead to permanent damage.

Risk of a herniated discs is decreased by maintaining good core strength  and strong, flexible muscles.

Back to Top

Tags: back pain