What is a herniated disc?

Back pain, leg pain or weakness in the lower extremity muscles are often the signs of the herniated disc. What is a herniated disc? Herniation means that the cushion that is between the vertebras in the spine is being pushed out of its usual position. The problem with the herniated disc is that near to the spinal discs the spinal nerves are located. 

This soft cushion that sits between the vertebrae, or in other words, the spinal disc is soft in a young person but it normally becomes less elastic with age. This means that the risk of the spinal disc getting an injury rises. Actually, MRIs prove that even 30 years olds have the spinal disc deterioration in up to 30% of the tested.

What is a herniated disc rather than the rupture of the spinal disc? The disc becomes less and less elastic, this causes for the part of the spinal disc to bulge outside of its typical limits. As a result, this causes for the spinal nerves and the spinal card to become pinched.

Although most of the times this is still not enough to raise concern because there is still an extra space around the spinal nerves and cord, the structure might become suppressed if enough of the herniated disc to do so is pushed through.

It is possible for the herniated disc to appear as a sudden result of a fall or an accident or it may appear gradually as a result of a repetitive straining of the spine. It is not uncommon among people with the herniated disc to already have the spinal stenosis. The spinal stenosis causes shrinking of the space around the spinal nerves and the cord. A herniated disc may contribute to that problem and further diminish the space for the nerves, in which case the irritation of the nerves occurs.

Once the spinal nerves of the spinal cords become pressured, they are not able to work properly anymore. As a result the signals from the compressed nerves either get passed abnormally or not get passed at all.  There are certain symptoms that indicate a herniated disc:

1.      Electric shock pain – because of the pressure on the nerves an unusual sensation, typically electric shock pains may occur. If the shocks appear in the arm, that means that the cervical, or neck area is being compressed, but if the shocks go down your leg, that means that the lumbar, or lower back area is being compressed.

2.      Tingling and numbness – it’s common for the patients with a herniated disk to experience tingling or numbness usually in the same area as the electric shock sensations.

3.      Muscle weakness – signals from the brain may be damaged and cause muscle weakness as a result of the nerve irritation. Such irritation can easily be tested by reflexes examination.

4.      Bowel or bladder problems – these symptoms are especially important, because they can be a sign of a very serious condition called cauda equina syndrome that may be caused by the hernia. In such case seeing a doctor is highly recommended.

What is a herniated disc can easily be established after a physical examination, specifically after testing sensations, muscle strength, and reflexes. MRI usually assists in diagnosing this condition as well, although its results should only be considered together with the results of the physical examination.

Herniated disc surgery

Herniated disc surgery always helps to get rid of this problem very effectively. But only doctor can decide if a person really needs it. This disease is connected with movement of spinal disc in the result of trauma or some pressure. This disc affected nervous of the body and can provoke terrible pain in all the back. Very often this disease is treated with the help of the other methods. Herniated disc can be cured with the time.

Surgery for herniated disc is used first of all to reduce pain. People, who suffer with this disease, usually have problems with movement. They also feel constant weakness and become very sensitive. But this medical procedure helps to get rid of it very quickly and effectively. It is important to have proper medical examination before surgery. Only special diagnostic test will show if a person really needs herniated disc surgery. During examinations much attention is paid to physical conditions, the age of the suffering person and disease’s impact on the life. Surgery is also chosen when it is obvious that the herniated disc won’t be healed on its own way.

There are different types of the herniated disc surgeries. Open discetomy means the removal of herniated material that presses nerves of the body or spinal and causes pain in the back. Sometimes people can try to solve this problem with the help of the different medicines. In some cases this treatment is really very effective. But if it doesn’t bring positive effect, it is better to choose a surgery.

Percutaneus discectomy helps to build discs. In most cases it is used for that discs, which haven’t been destroyed in the spinal canals. It always reduces the size of the herniated disc. It is rather complicated procedure and its results are not always very efficient. But in the same time such procedures is not complicated and doesn’t provoke dangerous side effects. Nowadays there are a lot of researchers that are tending to study this method and to make it more effective.

Lamitonomy and laminoctomy are the other herniated disc surgeries, which reduce pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. They help to relieve a pain in such way. Sometime painful feelings in the back can be caused by the changes, which are connected with the age. This procedure helps to get rid of them too. During the surgery doctors remove parts of vertebrae that form special arcs on the spinal cord. These procedures also treat thickened tissues, which can be also the reason of the terrible pain in the back. These two surgeries can be done in the same time or separately.

Patients always need some time for the recovery. It is very important to have a good rest after it. It is strongly recommended to be in the bed for some weeks. Some doctors advise to eat more fruits and vegetables during this period. It is possible to take some additional natural supplements.

It is very important to be careful for some time after the whole recovery. People must avoid taking heavy things. It is better to reduce physical loading for some time. People also shouldn’t stay or otherwise sit for a long time, because it is very dangerous for them, such as it causes additional loading for the body and spinal cord.

Herniated disc exercises

Herniated disc exercises are vital in dealing with a spinal disc injury, even though this is a step that is unfortunately commonly being avoided. Such exercises are a huge help in strengthening the muscles and thus keeping the body fit altogether. They allow decreasing the pain to the minimum, making the posture better, and making life easier.

 There are a number of most common herniated disc exercises, such as:

1.  Single knee to the chest – for this exercise you need to lie down on your back on a flat and firm surface. Then you need to hold your hands behind the thigh and pull it onto your chest. The opposite leg is left flat on the surface. Stay still in this position for 30 seconds and then take turns switching the legs. 
2.  Double knee to the chest – the same as for the Single knee to the chest, lie down on your back on the flat and firm surface. Grip your hands behind both of your thighs this time and pull them towards the chest. After 30 seconds rest and then repeat again. 
3. Prayer stretch – for this exercise you need to kneel down on a flat and firm surface and rest your butt on your heels. Slowly lower yourself while raising your arms out in the front. Hold this position for 30 seconds and then come back to the starting point. Keep repeating the process, favoring first your left then your right side. 
4.  Pelvic lift – first lie down on your back on a flat firm surface. Make sure your feet are flat and your knees are bent, your legs close together. Then tilt your pelvis and bring the lower back to the floor slowly lifting your buttocks off the floor as much as possible, but make sure it’s not strained. Stay still in this position for 5 seconds and then bring your buttocks to the floor. Don’t forget to breathe during this exercise, as it is very important to remember to breathe. 
5. Trunk rotation – for this exercise lie down on your back on a flat firm surface first. Bend your knees and leave your feet flat. Then start to rotate your trunk from one side to another. It is important to do this exercise slow and not to swing or jerk. Concentrate on the form rather than the speed. 

 All of the possible herniated disc exercises can be categorized into following categories:

1. Low impact Aerobic Exercises – they include swimming, bicycling, walking. As a part of the patient’s program such exercises may be very beneficial in dealing with the herniated disc. 
2. Spine stabilization and strength training are proven to be effective. These exercises aid in strengthening the abdomen and improving the mobility of the lower back, and strengthening muscles in general. 
3. Yoga, Thai Chi, Chi Kung – these practices that include low-impact physical movements as well as meditation are proven to be very useful. 
4.  Flexibility exercises help reduce pain. 

There is a vast variety of herniated disc exercises, and prior to using them one should consult with a physician first. A physical therapist is the person to work with if herniated disc exercises are needed, this person will assist you in determining the exact exercises you should use, and how they should be performed safely. Herniated disc exercises assist in removing the pressure by strengthening the back, this aid in dealing with the back pain that is being caused by a herniated disc.