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If you think you may have a "slipped disk" (herniation or disk bulge), either a chiropractor (DC), medical doctor (MD) or an osteopathic physician (DO) should be able to determine if this is true, or if your pain is caused by another problem. If it is determined that you indeed have a disk problem, most times the associated pain will go away on its own with time. Sometimes very severe disk problems can require a trip to a surgeon to ensure that neurological damage is not a risk. Your DC, MD, or DO should be able to inform you of whether or not you need to see a surgeon.
For less severe disk problems pain control is the primary goal. Spinal manipulation has been shown to be effective for pain control, including for herniated disks (references 1-3 below), and there are almost no risks associated. Thus, it is always worth a try to see if a chiropractor can help.
Note A: Neither manipulation, medication, or the increasingly popular decompression therapy can "fix" a disk problem, but, it is likely that all of these treatments can reduce the pain you are experiencing until the inflammation goes down. Thus, personal preference will play a large role in what type of doctor you decide to see.
Note B: Spinal manipulation is not contraindicated for a herniated or bulging disk (1-3).
Note C: Current research has suggested that a bulging disk does not cause pain by compressing nerves, but more likely by sensitizing nerves through local inflammation factors released by damaged cells and cells of the immune system (cytokines). Thus, over time as the inflammation goes down the pain will also go away. Usually, even after the pain is gone the disk bulge or herniation will remain, sometimes contacting nerves or even the spinal cord. It has been suggested that as many as 30% of the population has one or more asymptomatic (non-painful) disk bulges (4-6). It is likely a normal part of aging, so don't panic :)
References:
1) Oliphant D. Safety of spinal manipulation in the treatment of lumbar disk herniations: a systematic review and risk assessment. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2004;27(3):197-210.
2) Santilli V, Beghi E, Finucci S. Chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of acute Back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion: a randomized double-blind clinical trial of active and simulated spinal manipulations. Spine J2006;6:131-137.
3) Liu J, Zhang S. Treatment of protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc by pulling and turning manipulations. J Tradit Chin Med 2000;20:195-197.
4) Jensen MC, Brant-Zawadzki MN, Obuchowski N, Modic MT, Malkasian D, Ross JS. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine in people without back pain. N Engl J Med 1994;331:69 --73.
5) Boden SD, Davis DO, Dina TS, Patronas NJ, Wiesel SW. Abnormal magnetic-resonance scans of the lumbar spine in asymptomatic subjects. A prospective investigation. J Bone Joint Surg 1990;72:403-- 8.
6) Jarvik JJ, Hollingworth W, Heagerty P, Haynor DR, Deyo RA. The longitudinal assessment of Imaging and disability of the back (LAIDBack) Study: baseline data. Spine 2001;26:1158--66.
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How much money can you get from a car accident and if you have herniated discs on the lower back and herniated disk on the neck?
$10
What is the recommended treatment for significant back pain due to a herniated disc?
Herniated discs represent a serious problem that almost always needs the assistance of a doctor. For immediate relief, take an over the counter pain medication and muscle relaxers.
Is an EEG used for herniated discs in the lumbar section of your back?
No, but an EMG is sometimes used in that situation.
Is Randy Orton ever coming back to WWE?
He's returning from back injury (herniated discs) this week on SmackDown!
Are there holistic treatments for herniated discs?
Yes, there are holistic treatments for herniated discs. According to http://www.livestrong.com/, some holistic treatments include rest, physical therapy, acupuncture, and acupressure. I saw an acupuncturist for back problems once, and the treatment greatly decreased my back pain during the month I was visiting her.
What can cause back pain?
There are several things that can cause Back pain, from sciatica or a herniated disc, to kidney stones or fractures. It's best to just see a doctor, if your back pain continues with no relief.
How do you cure a back ache?
Some common forms of spinal injuries are those that relate to the spinal discs. Spinal discs are pads of cartilage that separate and cushion the spinal vertebrae. When the body moves, the spinal discs protect the vertebrate from shock. Over time, spinal discs can be hurt by injury, degeneration and disease. One common spinal injury is known as a herniated disc, which can also be referred to as prolapsed, bulging, or ruptured. Herniated discs can cause pain, weakness and numbness in various areas of the body, including the lower back, legs and feet. A disc becomes herniated when the hardened outside layer tears, and leaves the softer inside material of the disc pushing out. For more information regarding this visit:http://healthcure4life.blogspot.com
What is a herniated disc and what causes this problem?
A herniated disc means that a part of the jelly center of the disc "gets out" of the disc into the spinal canal, and causes pressure on the nerves. What causes it? There a few opinions about that, the one that seems most logical to me (except the known and obvious reason of just "the aging of the discs") is something called "muscle imbalances", which cause extra pressure on the disc causing it to rupture. The link I added explains it and what to do about it better than me so check it out.
Are muscle weakness lower back pain and frequent urination early symptoms of a herniated disk?
See a doctor.
Treatment of herniated disc?
Treatment for herniated disc - The fastest, safest, easiest treatment out there is Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression with the DRX9000. Spinal Decompression looks a little like a big traction machine but actually does much more. It creates a vacuum affect in the spine which pulls any herniated or bulging discs back into place.
What is a herniated disc with a subligamental tear mean?
You have posterior longitudinal ligament on the back side of the body of the vertebrae and discs. So there is herniation of the nucleus pulposus, coming out of the tear in the annulus fibrosus.
What are the symptoms of a disc herniation?
Herniated disc that are not pressing on a nerve, may be lower back ache to no symptoms. A herniated disc that is hitting a nerve, may cause weakness, numbness and or pain in the area or path that the nerve travels. If your herniation is in lumbar (lower) you may start to get a sciatica. This is caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve, that shoots pain through buttocks and down the leg and can also cause lower back and leg pain. When herniation is in upper lumber located near bottom of ribs, then your thighs could possibly hurt. Herniation in the neck can cause numbness and or pain in chest, shoulders, and or arms.
