Herniated and Bulging Disk

What is a Herniated Disk?

A herniated disk is also known as a slipped, ruptured or bulging (protruding) disk. It’s one of the most common causes of neck, back and leg pain. People between 30 -50 years old are most likely to get a herniated disk as their spine and muscles surrounding it weaken with age. A disk can rupture suddenly because of too much pressure for example, falling from a ladder or a trauma.

Herniated Disk Causes

Disks have soft, gel-like centers and a firm outer layer. With time, the outer layer weakens and can crack. A herniated disk happens when the inner center pushes through the crack. The leaked material may press on nearby spinal nerves.

Several factors contribute to a disk rupture, including:

• Aging
• Excessive weight
• Repetitive bending or twisting motions for work, sports or hobbies
• Sitting for long periods in the same position
• Smoking
• Sudden strain from improper lifting or twisting

Herniated Disk Symptoms

Herniated or slipped disk in the back (herniated lumbar disk)

A herniated disk can cause a range of symptoms depending on the location and severity of the injury. A herniated disk in the lower back feels like:

• Back pain
• Muscle weakness
• Tingling or numbness in the legs and/or feet

Herniated or disk in the neck (herniated cervical disk)

A herniated disk in the neck feels like:

• Pain near or between your shoulder blades
• Pain that travels to your shoulder, arm and sometimes your hands and fingers
• Pain that increases when bending or turning your neck
• Neck pain, especially in the back and on the sides of your neck
• Numbness or tingling in your arms

How Is a Herniated Disk Diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will do a thorough exam. During the physical, your provider will assess your pain, muscle reflexes, sensation and muscle strength. They may also order tests, such as:

• Computed tomography (CT)
• Electromyogram (EMG)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Myelogram
• X-rays

How to Prevent a Herniated Disk

It's not always possible to prevent a herniated disk, but you can reduce your risk of injury by doing the following things.

• Using proper lifting techniques
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Not smoking
  
• Practicing good posture
• Stretching
• Avoiding wearing high-heeled shoes
• Exercising regularly

Herniated Disk Treatments

It's not always possible to prevent a herniated disk, but you can reduce your risk of injury by practicing herniated disk self-care.

Treating a Herniated Disk At Home

At-home remedies for healing a herniated disk are focused on pain relief and reducing inflammation. Try these practices:

• Avoid activities that make pain worse
• Attend physical therapy to learn exercises and stretches
• Use ice packs to reduce swelling
• Switch to heat to loosen up muscles
• Try over-the-counter medications, like ibuprofen

For tougher cases, your doctor might prescribe muscle relaxants or prescription-strength anti-inflammatories. Epidural injections for a herniated disk are also effective for relieving inflammation.

Herniated Disk Surgery

If non-surgical approaches don’t relieve your pain, consider a herniated disk medical procedure. Common surgeries to relieve herniated disk pain include:

• Microdiscectomy: This is a minimally invasive surgery where part of the herniated disk is removed.
• Artificial disk replacement: This surgery involves replacing your damaged disk for an artificial one.

When to See a Talk to a Provider About a Herniated Disk

A herniated disk often gets better on its own with time and self-care. This varies for everyone though. Your body can slowly soak up the bulging disk material, which eases inflammation and pain.It can take weeks to months for a herniated disk to heal. If the pain sticks around and gets worse, it’s a good idea to seek medical attention for a herniated disk if you have any of the following issues:

• Pain interferes with daily life, like going to work
• Symptoms aren’t better after four to six weeks
• Symptoms get worse
• You develop loss of bladder or bowel control
• You notice tingling, numbness or loss of strength in your arms, hands, legs or feet
• You have trouble standing or walking
• If you have severe pain and discomfort or develop loss of bladder or bowel control, please seek emergency care.