What Is A Herniated Disc? Herniated Disc Symptoms, Causes, & Natural Treatment For Herniated Disc

So what is a herniated disc? You may have heard it called a slipped or prolapsed disc.  Approximately up to 20 of every 1000 people suffer from a herniated disc, being most prevalent in 30-50-year-olds. In this blog, we will go over exactly what is a herniated disc, what a herniated disc symptoms & causes are, and what natural treatment for herniated disc may help reduce the pain. 

What Is A Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc is a painful condition that can affect any part of the spine.

A disc becomes herniated when its soft center (called the nucleus) ruptures or slips out through a tear or damage in the disc’s outer ring. In some cases, a slipped disc can compress nearby nerves and cause serious pain.

Even without nerve compression, this painful condition can make it difficult to carry out everyday tasks.

Herniated Disc Symptoms

A herniated disc can occur in any area of the spine, but the lower back is the most commonly affected area. Symptoms will largely depend on the location of the slipped disc and whether it’s compressing a nerve. In most cases, herniated discs only affect one side of the body.

• Pain on one side of the body
• Burning, tingling, or aching 
• Muscle weakness
• Pain that gets worse with certain movements or at night
• Pain that radiates to the arms or legs
• Pain that gets worse when walking short distances or after standing or sitting

While pain is the most common symptom of a herniated disc, it’s possible to have this condition with no symptoms.

Herniated Disc Causes

A herniated disc can be caused by many things, but the most common cause is gradual wear and tear, known as disc degeneration. Discs naturally become less flexible as you age, making them more susceptible to rupturing. 

But it’s important to note that anyone can develop a herniated disc. It occurs when the outer ring of the disc is weakened or damaged, allowing the inner portion to slip or pop out. 

A herniated disc can be caused by:

• Twisting or turning 
• Lifting very heavy or large objects
• Being overweight 
• A sedentary lifestyle and weak muscles

If your family has a history of herniated discs, then you may be at a higher risk of developing one, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

Working a physically demanding job that requires repetitive lifting, pushing, pulling, bending and twisting can also increase the risk of developing a herniated disc. 

It’s also believed that smokers are at a higher risk of developing a slipped disc. Smoking reduces the oxygen supply to your discs, causing them to break down more quickly.

Herniated Disc Diagnosis

Diagnosis starts with a physical exam to try and pinpoint the source of your pain. Your doctor will also ask about your symptoms and medical history to get a clearer picture of what’s going on. 

You may be asked to perform the “straight leg raise test.” Just as the name suggests, you’ll be asked to lift one straight leg up. If you have a herniated disc and there’s some compression in that area, you should feel pain in that leg.

Your doctor will also ask whether you’re experiencing weakness, numbness, or slow reflexes. 

If your doctor suspects that you have a herniated disc, imaging can help confirm the diagnosis. Your doctor may order one or more of the following:

• CT scan: Uses a computer and X-rays to create detailed images of your bones, organs, and tissues. 
• MRI: Creates 3D images of body structures that can show more detail than a CT scan or X-ray. An MRI can show the spinal cord and surrounding nerves.
• X-ray: Creates an image of the vertebrae structure and an outline of the joints. 
• Myelogram: An X-ray of the spine is taken after an injection of contrast material. This test can show pressure on the nerves or spinal cord, which are characteristic of a herniated disc.

Information from the imaging tests and physical exam will help your doctor determine whether it’s a herniated disc or some other issue that’s causing your pain. 

Herniated Disc Complications

If left untreated, a herniated disc can progress into a more severe or chronic condition, such as saddle anesthesia, which causes you to lose sensation in the inner thighs, rectum, and back of the legs.

Some people delay treatment or ignore their symptoms, but eventually, the pain becomes so severe that it interferes with everyday activities. Once the pain starts interrupting your life, it’s time to seek treatment. 

In severe cases, slipped discs can cause permanent nerve damage or even cut off nerve impulses. When this happens, it can cause:

• Partial paralysis
• Irregular bowel movements
• Incontinence

Although complications like these are uncommon, they can happen. It’s important not to leave a condition like a herniated disc untreated. 

Conventional Treatment for Herniated Disc

A herniated disc can be very painful, but the right treatment plan can help you start getting back to a normal life. Treatment will depend on the severity of the pain, but most people respond well to conservative and natural treatments.

If these treatments aren’t effective, surgery is another option that can help bring relief.

Conservative treatments typically take a multi-prong approach to healing. Treatments may include:

Physical Therapy and Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

Most doctors will recommend physical therapy and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers to help treat a herniated disc. 

A physical therapist may recommend exercises and stretches that can help with the pain and discomfort while strengthening your back. Core exercises can help strengthen the muscles that support your abdomen and lower back. Your physical therapist or doctor can recommend safe exercises to help strengthen your core.

Avoid heavy lifting and try to avoid moving into painful positions.

While rest plays an important role in healing, avoiding all activities can do more harm than good. Inactivity can lead to joint stiffness and muscle weakness. Low-impact exercise, like walking, and stretching can help you stay active without aggravating your injury. 

Weight Loss

Being overweight and leading a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to the development of a herniated disc.  Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight can help alleviate pressure on the spine and bring some pain relief. 

Epidural Steroid Injection, or ESI

An ESI can help reduce inflammation in the nerve. This minimally invasive procedure can bring pain relief for up to three months, giving your back time to heal.

Surgical Treatment Options

If conservative and natural treatments aren’t helping after 3-6 months, surgery may be the next step. There are a few different types of procedures for herniated discs:

Microdiscectomy

During this procedure, your doctor will remove parts of the disc (without removing the whole disc) to alleviate pressure on the spine. 

A microdiscectomy is sometimes called a microdecompression. It’s a minimally invasive outpatient procedure, and recovery is relatively quick. 

If your job involves lifting objects or repetitive bending, you may be out of work until you’re fully recovered. 

Laminectomy

For more serious cases, a laminectomy may be performed. During this procedure, a portion of the vertebrae is removed to give the nerves and spinal cord more space. 

A laminectomy is usually only recommended if your symptoms and pain are interfering with your everyday life. If conservative and less invasive treatments have failed, this surgical procedure may bring some relief. 

Natural Treatment for a Herniated Disc

Along with conservative treatments, many people also use natural remedies to help ease inflammation, pain and discomfort from a herniated disc, such as:

CBD

Many people use cannabidiol, or CBD, to help ease the pain from their herniated disc. Research suggests that CBD may help:

• Reduce inflammation 
• Improve sleep while helping the body relax
• Ease anxiety 

Topical CBD pain-relieving creams may be just as effective at easing symptoms. In a recent case series, researchers concluded CBD cream appears to have anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects.

Acupuncture 

Acupuncture is an ancient practice with roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine. People often use this alternative therapy to treat painful conditions like a herniated disc. There is some evidence that acupuncture may be effective for slipped discs.

In one systemic review, researchers concluded that acupuncture was more effective than ibuprofen, lumbar traction, meloxicam, and several other treatments.

DMSO

DMSO for nerve pain is continually being studied, but there is evidence that some nerve pain sufferers find relief with this substance where other forms of relief have failed. 

A 1993 study found that DMSO is able to block C-type nerve fibers. These fibers are responsible for pain mediation. When DMSO was applied directly to sural nerves, it was found that the velocity of C fiber conduction was reduced. Meaning that DMSO was able to reduce the pain in users when applied in high concentration levels directly on the area of pain.  

A research article in the Journal Of Inflammation reviews how DMSO when mixed with curcumin (turmeric) and applied to inflamed human disc cells helped decrease inflammation.  

Often a herniated disc puts pressure on nearby nerves causing nerve pain. DMSO has shown promise in the world of nerve pain, making it a great option for herniated disc pain relief. 

Massage

Along with helping relax the body and alleviating muscle tension, massage may also help ease the pain associated with a herniated disc. It may help benefit the body in many ways:

• Promote circulation to the affected area
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Promote relaxation
• Improve flexibility
• Promote an overall sense of well-being

There are several different types of massage, and some may be more effective than others for a herniated disc. Some common types of massage used for this condition include:

• Trigger point therapy
• Deep tissue massage
• Hot and cold massage
• Foam rolling

While massage can be effective, it’s important to listen to your body. If there’s too much pressure on your back and it’s making your symptoms worse, stop. Also, be mindful of your anxiety. If you find it hard to relax, then massage therapy may not be a good option for you.

Final Thoughts

A herniated disc can be a very painful condition, but conservative and natural treatments are often effective. Gentle exercises, stretching and natural pain relievers may help you along the path to healing.