Herniated Disc

What is a herniated disc?

A herniated disc is a common back and neck problem that can cause both acute and chronic pain.

The discs between your vertebrae act as cushions, protecting the spine from shock and helping stabilize the spinal column. They have a soft, jelly-like center and a tough outer shell. If the shell weakens or suffers damage, the core can squeeze into your spinal canal.

The spinal canal houses your spinal cord, where all the nerves throughout your body originate. When a disc herniates, the protruding core can press on these nerve roots as they exit your spine.

What symptoms does a herniated disc cause?

In the neck, herniated disc symptoms like pain, tingling, weakness, and numbness can spread into the shoulders and arms. In the lower back, symptoms can travel through the pelvis and into the legs.

Herniated discs can cause other common back problems, including spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) and sciatica (pain extending from the lower back into one leg).

What causes a herniated disc?

Severe trauma, like a high-speed auto accident or a fall from height, can sometimes cause disc herniation. However, the most common cause is degenerative disc disease.

This condition develops over many years as the discs become drier, harder, and stiffer. The outer shell deteriorates, making it easier for the core material to push through into your spinal canal.

How is a herniated disc treated?

SEPA Pain & Spine begins herniated disc treatment using conservative methods, typically activity modification and anti-inflammatory medication combined with physical therapy.

If the initial approaches don’t help, you might benefit from one of SEPA Pain & Spine’s cutting-edge nonsurgical treatments, which include:

Steroid injections

These injections contain a powerful anti-inflammatory medication and a local anesthetic. The steroid offers long-acting inflammation and pain reduction, and the local anesthetic relieves pain entirely for a short time.

Biologic injections

Biologics are exciting treatments that use substances extracted from the human body — either yours or a healthy donor’s. The injections contain concentrated healing cells and growth factors that boost your body’s natural repair and regeneration mechanisms.

For the most persistent and severe herniated discs, surgery might be required. SEPA Pain & Spine also offers radiofrequency ablation and spinal cord stimulation, which prevent pain signals from reaching your brain.

Call SEPA Pain & Spine today or book an appointment online to get relief from herniated disc symptoms.