Herniated Disc
When a "slipped" or "ruptured" disc in the lower back or neck occurs, it is called a herniated disc or bulging disc. Herniated disc are one of the most common reasons for neck, arm, lower back and leg pain. A disc herniates or ruptures when part of the center of the disc pushes through the outer layer of the disc and causes pressure on the spinal canal. This may cause pressure on the nerves. Any light pressure on the nerve may cause weakness of the arm/leg muscle, pain and/or numbness.
Herniated Disc Symptoms:
Herniated disc symptoms usually occur on one side of the body.
These are some of the symptoms for herniated disc
- Herniated disc in the lower back may cause back pain, hip/ thigh/ leg/ foot pain, numbness, muscle weakness
- Herniated disc in the neck area may cause neck pain, shoulder /arm/ forearm/ hand pain, numbness, muscle weakness
- Pain at night
- Pain with bending, twisting, sitting, standing or walking
- Pain with sneezing, laughing or coughing
Heniated Disc Risk Factors:
These are some of the risk factors for herniated disc
- Smoking
- Excessive body weight
- Poor body mechanics when lifting
- Repetitive strenuous motion such as: lifting, bending, pushing, pulling and/or twisting
