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What Are the Signs and Causes of a Herniated Disc?

If you’re experiencing terrible back, neck, and leg pain, there’s a good chance you may have a herniated disc. Before things get worse, you should come to our treatment center in Athens. We can run the necessary diagnostic tests to determine the nature and extent of your injury.

Most People Have Heard of a Herniated Disc but Aren’t Sure What It Is

When we first meet a new patient, we ask them to describe their pain. Many of the clients at our treatment center in Athens have not seen a doctor yet. Many others have already had surgery and are with us for post-operative care.

When a patient tells us they have a herniated disc, we are always careful not to jump to conclusions. Many times, a client tells us they have a herniated disc but have not been diagnosed with one.

They look up their symptoms online and find that they match the description of a herniated or slipped disc.

Some People Confuse a Herniated Disc with a Bulging Disc

There is a big difference between a herniated disc and a bulging disc. They can both cause an extreme amount of pain. They are also both likely to severely limit your mobility.

While there are similarities, there are differences as well. If the issue isn’t diagnosed properly, you can end up in worse pain than when you started.

  • Bulging Disc – Here, only the outer layer of the cartilage is affected. The outer rim is also still intact. While part of the disc may bulge, usually this accounts for a lot less than the full circumference of the disc
  • Herniated Disc – When you have a bulging disc, it can worsen and become a herniated disc.

When the practitioners at our treatment center in Athens see this kind of injury, they will quickly make a note on the patient’s file. They will also consult with the rest of their team to determine what the best plan may be.

Herniated Discs Are Much More Painful Than Generic Back Pain

At some point in our lives, most of us will experience back pain. This can happen from performing mundane everyday tasks. For example, if you cleaned your house from top to bottom, there’s a good chance you’ll be in pain.

Usually, people who hurt their back don’t immediately go to the hospital. They may take a day off from work and hope that a day on the couch or in bed will make them feel better.

What Are the Common Signs and Symptoms of a Herniated Disc?

The signs and symptoms for somebody who has a herniated disc may come across as similar to other back issues. The symptoms include the following:

  • Pain in your lower back
  • Numbness and tingling
  • Limited mobility
  • Inability to get in and out of bed without extreme discomfort

Of course, there are other signs. However, these are the most common. Some of these will be discussed in more detail below.

Pain

One of the obvious signs that you have a herniated disc is the extreme pain you will be in. Every time you try to twist or turn your back, it’ll hurt. It will also hurt to walk long distances or to stand for long periods of time.

In addition to this kind of pain, you may also feel nerve pain. With so much pressure caused by your herniated disc, you may feel weakness in your muscles. This can be frustrating because you may have a ton of energy, but you don’t have the wherewithal to move around.

Our Athens injury center can treat your herniated disc

Tingling or Numbness

Another common sign of a herniated disc is tingling or numbness in your extremities. Usually, you’ll start to feel the tingling in your fingers and forearms. You may also feel it down your leg and down to your feet.

One of the most uncomfortable parts of having a herniated disc (or several) is that you can never find a comfortable position. You may find yourself getting up to walk around throughout the day, just to ease the pain.

What Causes a Person to Suffer a Herniated Disc?

You may wonder what causes herniated discs. The practitioners at our treatment center in Athens have found that motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause. When you’re involved in any sort of accident, your body is thrown about and jostled to and from.

Of course, there are other causes of a herniated disc. If you fall and injure your back, it can cause long-term problems. A herniated disc can happen during a traumatic event. It doesn’t have to be the result of normal wear and tear.

Depending on the Seriousness of Your Injury, You May Need Surgery

Many of the clients that visit our treatment center in Athens have already undergone surgery. They come to our facility for physical therapy. Others may come for chiropractic care.

Other patients come to us because they don’t want to have surgery. They are looking for an alternative to going under the knife. It isn’t always possible to avoid surgery. However, you may be able to put surgery off by seeking out other methods of treatment.

Our Treatment Center in Athens Also Offers Physical Therapy

Our treatment center in Athens specializes in physiotherapy. If you are tired of being in pain all the time due to your herniated disc, you should call our office. Many of our clients come to us on their own.

You don’t have to be in an accident to suffer a herniated disc. You may benefit from physical therapy, regardless of the nature of your back injuries.

The Practitioners at Our Treatment Center in Athens Can Help With Your Herniated Disc

If you have a herniated disc, you’re probably in a tremendous amount of pain. Many of the patients at our treatment center in Athens are suffering from the same thing. While many people assume surgery is the only option, that isn’t the case.

As explained here, while surgery is an option, it is not the only way to treat a herniated disc. Depending on the seriousness of your injury, you may be able to control your pain and discomfort in other, less intrusive ways.

We suggest you contact our office and speak with one of our intake specialists. They can schedule a time for you to come in for your initial assessment.

Once this is completed, we’ll have a much better idea of how bad your herniated disc is. It will also give us a chance to design a treatment plan that will help you make a full and safe recovery.