A herniated disk can occur at any time and will be experienced as a sharp electric shock, numbness, or pain - most often in the lower part of the pelvis, though the neck is also a vulnerable area for this condition. It may originate pursuant to a variety of different activities or conditions, making it difficult to predict or avoid. The most common areas in which the condition is noticed are the legs and lower back muscles, and the discomfort levels range from mild to severe.
Many individuals make the mistake of trying to 'push through' the pain as opposed to seeking treatment, however, this course of action only serves to further aggravate the condition and exacerbate the symptoms. Through allopathic treatment, a number of options are available to help ralleviate the effects of the injured disk, and return it to a healthier state.
Diagnosing a Herniated Disk
Virtually everyone has experienced some form of back pain, so it can be difficult to discern the difference between a herniated disk and a strained muscle. Education is thus essential in enabling one to understand the difference in symptomology, and hence to determine when the situation requires medical intervention.
The spine is composed of 24 bones, or vertebrae, that function as a cohesive unit to enable the body to bend and rotate. Each vertebra also features a unique, sponge-like disk acting as a cushion to provide elasticity and hence the ability of the body to absorb shocks.
With age, these disks may compress and lose much of their cushioning. (A disk can also be damaged or become misplaced due to an injury to the spine.) In such case, the outer layer of cartilage may crack, and the inner portion of the disk will be pushed through the tear and against the surrounding nerves. This results in either unusual pain or numbness throughout the area, pain or numbness that usually radiates to one or more of the extremities-such as a leg or an arm-depending upon the location of the herniated disk. (This is in contrast to the pain of a muscle strain, which is usually confined to the back muscles).
A doctor can diagnose a herniated disk with an examination, testing reflexes, and asking specific questions. Some cases may require further testing, such as an MRI or a CT scan to accurately rule out other possible health issues. Once a herniated disk is confirmed, your doctor will proceed with the proper allopathic treatment, based on the types of symptoms you are having.
Allopathic Treatment and Medications
Although it is highly recommended to stay active as much as possible, rest is prescribed in patients who are in excruciating pain and cannot move. In most cases, moving around can speed up your recovery (muscles will weaken if not used for an extended period of time); walking or light activity is a good allopathic treatment for strengthen muscles. In many cases, drugs are prescribed which significantly relieve the pain and swelling.
In addition to pain medication, a corticosteroid, or anti-inflammatory, may be injected around the nerve root to diminish the pressure. Muscle relaxants are also a commonly prescribed allopathic treatment that reduces soreness and assists the muscles to heal more quickly. Any allopathic treatment, drug or medication taken for a herniated disk needs to be approved and monitored by a physician.
Physical Therapy
A skilled physical therapist can successfully treat back pain from a herniated disk through noninvasive methods and allopathic treatment methods. These include, but are not limited to, ultrasound, heating pad applications, and diathermy, where heat is transmitted deep into the tissue of the back muscles. In addition, an exercise program is an excellent adjunct treatment used to improve posture and restore mobility.
Traction might be considered to decrease the amount of pressure to the disk and to accompany the exercise routine. The use of a lumbar support is another valuable tool associated with physical therapy that complements the above allopathic treatment techniques.
Surgery
Only a small percentage of individuals fail to respond to nonsurgical treatment of herniated disks, but for disks that show no signs of healing from normal treatment, surgery is an option used to remove portions of the disk that are pushing against the nerve. Several operations can accomplish this, including a discectomy.
In a spinal fusion, a piece of bone is removed from the pelvis and strategically positioned in between the vertebrae as a substitute for the portions of the disk being removed. An alternative to surgery is chemonucleolysis, the injection of a purified papaya plant extract into the disk space, reducing its size.
Prevention
The best treatment option for a herniated disk lies in the prevention of its occurrence. Thus, herniated disks can be prevented by maintaining good posture and lifting with the knees bent, using the leg strength to perform lifting as opposed to using the muscles of the lower back. Sitting down or hunched over for an excessive periods of time has also been known to lead to a disk injury.
If you have previously hurt your back, be careful and pay close attention to the way your joints move when you stand or walk. Protect your back by keeping the shoulders pulled down and back, keeping the neck in a neutral position, and compressing the abdominals towards the navel.
Know the Facts
Knowledge is a safeguard against the incorrect diagnosis of a herniated disk. Herniated disks can occcur in people of all ages, especially those who are between 35 and 45 years old. Lifting improperly, having a fall or accident, or sudden twists are all causes which may result in a herniated disk. Often the first symptom is not pain, but rather a tingling sensation running up the length of the leg and lower back muscles in the lumbar region.
It is important to know, however, that having a herniated disk is not a crippling condition. Statistics show that half of those diagnosed with herniated disks heal completely within 1 month, and most individuals experience a full recovery within 6 months. Moreover, surgery is extremely rare; performed on only 1 out of every 10 individuals who suffer from the condition. Fortunately, most cases are effectively cured with conservative, allopathic treatment and moderate therapy.
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