Constant back pain drastically impacts the quality of life, and it’s not always easy to find the cause. Herniated discs can cause this pain, so it’s important to identify this condition if you have it. Herniated discs are manageable with proper care, and health care professionals can help you find fast, lasting results.

Understanding Herniated Discs

Causes & Symptoms

Between each vertebra in your spine is a thin, cushion-like disc. When one is drawn out of position, it’s called a herniated disc. Many cases develop from age because the discs weaken over time. Simply twisting or turning too quickly can cause them to slip. Others develop this injury by lifting heavy objects that place too much stress on the spine. Common symptoms include:

• Neck or back pain
• Arm or leg pain
• Numbness in the extremities
• Muscle weakness

The disc will continue to place pressure on nearby nerves, and pain can range from mild and infrequent to constant and severe. Some patients experience no symptoms for an extended period, which is why this condition often goes undiagnosed.

Prevention

It’s important to strengthen the muscles around your spine so they can help stabilize it. You can achieve results with basic core exercises and resistance band training. Maintaining a healthy weight will also help reduce stress on the spine.

When lifting heavy objects, never pull with your back. Instead, squat down, grip the object, and lift with your legs. It’s helpful to also stretch your back muscles before lifting anything heavy.

Treatment

If your doctor suspects a herniated disc, they’ll perform a manual inspection of the spine. They’ll also test your ability to walk, stretch, and use your back muscles. In some cases, they may also perform X-rays, CT scans, or an MRI to identify the herniated disc.

Herniated discs rarely require serious medical treatment. Instead, your doctor will recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications to manage symptoms. If you don’t respond to pain management, surgery may be necessary.

Many patients turn to chiropractic care. A chiropractor can provide spinal adjustments and create an exercise plan to help you strengthen the surrounding muscles. Massage therapy is also popular for relieving back pain and will reduce tension around the herniated disc.

If you’re interested in exploring chiropractic care, contact Adams Clinic of Chiropractic. This Monroe, GA, practice is led by Dr. Jeremy T. Adams and address a variety of conditions. Dr. Adams will carefully assess your needs and use a combination of massage therapy and chiropractic care to resolve back pain, sports injuries, and other problems. Call (770) 267-3277 to schedule a consultation and connect on Facebook for more health tips. You can explore this chiropractic clinic further online.