At Ocala Holistic Medicine, one of the more common issues we treat is a herniated disc, which can cause a lot of pain and even put a full stop to normal activity. Dr. Michael John Badenek and the rest of our team are here to help you find a natural way out of pain or illness and back to your full potential. To learn more about this specific issue before your appointment, including your herniated disc treatment options, read below.
What is a Herniated Disc?
In between the vertebrae of your spine lies a disc of tissue to help cushion impact, make space for nerves, and facilitate motion. Sometimes, whether from acute injury or degenerative damage, the gelatinous inner layer of that disc gets pushed out, breaking through the harder outer layer and spilling out. This phenomenon, known as herniation, places pressure on nearby nerves that exit your spinal cord, causing pain.
Causes and Symptoms
Herniated discs often result from age-related degeneration as we lose some of the protective coating or gelatinous fluid as we get older. Combined with certain motions, such as twisting and turning, a disc's inner layer can get squished and pushed out through the weakened outer layer. Other causes include acute injury from things like lifting weights, sports, an auto accident, or a physically demanding job.
Symptoms to Look Out for Include:
- Radiating pain that travels down your arms/legs
- Numbness and tingling on one side of the body
- Aching or burning sensations near the problem site
- Localized pain that gets worse with specific movements, such as standing, sitting, or walking
- Increased pain in the evenings that disrupts sleep
- Muscle weakness
If you’re experiencing any of the above issues, it’s time to consider herniated disc treatments.
Herniated Disc Treatments
In the immediate aftermath of an injury, the best first step would be to try and control the pain and inflammation, usually through ice packs. While medication can help reduce symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily rectify the issue. Your muscles may have seized up to try to protect your spine, and your back or neck might need to be decompressed to create space and relief.
Herniated disc treatments like chiropractic traction, acupuncture, electric muscle stimulation, and massage can work wonders in the right situation, but make sure to check in with your doctor about your specific case. Finally, the best treatment plans include physiotherapy exercises after your pain is reduced to avoid injury recurrence. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Badenek at Ocala Holistic Medicine by calling 352-622-1151 to start your individualized herniated disc treatments today.