Slipped Disc Symptoms – Physiotherapy Treatment
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Slipped Disc Symptoms – Physiotherapy Treatment
Jonathan Lim owns a private practice in Singapore, Physiotherapy Lodge Group. He seeks a holistic approach towards physiotherapy treatment for each individual.
Spinal discs are pads that rest between vertebrae and provide shock absorption and other types of protection for the spine. These pads contain a jelly like substance, which is lost when the disc is slipped, causing the spine to lose this vital cushioning. A variety of injuries or degenerative conditions can lead to the rupture or flattening of the disc, which can in turn, lead to a variety of painful conditions. Contrary to the sound of the phenomenon, discs do not actually slip out of place. Other names for the condition include ruptured disc, herniated discs, prolapsed disc and disc protrusions.
When the disc becomes ruptured, pressure is placed on the spinal cord or on the surrounding nerve fiber, which leads to pain in that area of the back or anywhere that the nerve controls. Numbness and tingling can also be associated with slipped disc syndrome.
A herniated disc can result from a wide variety of injuries or degenerative conditions. Lifting improperly or over long periods can create these issues, in particular if twisting is associated with the lifting. Long term stress on the discs, as occurs with obesity can also be a factor. Though trauma is more rarely associated, it is a known cause.
Slipped Disc Symptoms
A slipped disc can occur anywhere in the spine, including the neck, though it is most often associated with the back. Because nerves can be involved, the pain can be felt in the location of the affected area of the back, or referred to other places in the body touched by the impacted nerve. Pain can range from moderate to quite severe, and numbness or weakness can also be associated with the condition.
Upper back and neck ruptured discs will most often result in pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the neck, shoulder, arms and hands. When discs in the lower back are affected, these symptoms are experienced in the back, legs and feet. Pain can run down the back of the leg, from the butt to the knee (sciatica). There can also be numbness in the genital and anal areas. Pain can be especially felt when coughing, straining, walking and doing leg raises. In some cases, patients have trouble controlling bowel and bladder movement.
Slipped Disc Diagnostics
There is variety of diagnostics tools used to determine where the condition exists. A doctor will test neuromuscular function, and will have the patient bend over, and lie on his back and lift his legs. Pain in performing these last two tests will be an indication of the issue. If warranted, the doctor can also order X ray film of the back or neck. In many cases, an X ray is not needed to make a diagnosis, but might be used later if the symptoms persist.
Other imaging tools that could be used include: MRI or myelogram. A myelogram is done by injecting dye into the spine to indicate problem areas in discs. Bone scans might also be ordered. These will show fracture, tumors or infection. Bone scans are very unlikely to be ordered as part of the initial diagnostic and MRI myelograms are also rarely used early in treatment.
Slipped Disc Treatments
Treatment generally takes a conservative course, and can include first cold packs and then hot packs, a short period (one day or so) of bed rest followed by limited activity. Limited activity is typically followed up as soon as possible with light exercise and stretching. While patients are often reluctant to begin exercise and stretching, doing so within safe parameters will accelerate recovery and failure to do so will both lengthen recovery and increase the odds of complications.
Pain is usually treated with over the counter medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. In more severe cases, prescription pain relievers may be advised. Muscle relaxants and steroids are also sometimes used to treatment the pain symptoms.
Physical therapy is also sometimes recommended. Slipped disc exercises are taught during physical therapy as part of the course of treatment so that patients can improve their odds of avoiding a recurrence of the issues down the road.
Absent a remission of the symptoms, or with increased severity of symptoms, surgery might be recommended. Surgery is generally not an option early in the treatment of slipped discs. While at one time, surgery was used early on, studies have shown that unless there is some other compelling factor in favor of surgery that it is more effective after all other treatments have been exhausted.
The best course is to try to prevent the problem from arising in the first place, and this is particularly pertinent for people who are at high risk for developing the condition. This would include people who are obese, who do a lot of heavy lifting or extreme athletics and those who smoke.
These people are advised to resolve any underlying medical issue (reduce weight, stop smoking) as well as get regular exercise that includes muscle strengthening the in the core, back and neck. For those who lift frequently, they are advised to use proper lifting techniques, bending at the knee, not twisting etc etc, and wear a brace while lifting.
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