Slipped / Herniated Disc
The majority of patients that we treat with chronic lower back pain, have a disc bulge or herniated disc. This condition can occur due to:
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the natural ageing of the veterbral discs,
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poor posture; or
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as a result of a trauma to the spine.
The symptoms of a lower back disc bulge include:
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no pain
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severe pain in lower back
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numbness and tingling
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generalised weakness
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pain in buttocks, legs and feet (Sciatica)
In general, the further the pain is away from the spine, the more severe the impingement on the spinal nerve.
For further information on herniated discs, please watch this short video.
We have successfully treated many patients with disc bulges but it does require commitment on the patient's part to do stretching exercises that are prescribed alongside their chiropractic care plan. It is not unusual for the tissue in a disc to take up to 12 months to repair after herniation. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of back pain, means a quicker road to recovery and freedom from pain.
The following video demonstrates a good exercise to try to alleviate the symptoms of a herniated disc.
The exercise demonstrated in the video may not be suitable for everyone, particularly if you have had issues for a long time. The best advice is to try the exercise but if you experience pain during or afterwards then the exercise may not be suitable for you.
Swimming is the best exercise you can do for a disc bulge; the next best thing is to get a Swiss Ball and do some core exercises but avoid sit-ups as this would further aggravate the disc.
So, if you have back pain, do not ignore it as it indicates nerve impingement, which if left untreated can lead to chronic conditions including permanent nerve damage, which is more difficult, if not impossible, to resolve.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on 07942
305554.