HealthyCanada.com

A herniated disc, also known as a "pinched nerve" or a "slipped" or "ruptured" disk is a back problem that occurs when the soft part between bones in the spine presses on the nerves around the backbone. It is a common source of pain in the lower back, neck and arms and legs.

Lower Back: Just because you have low back pain, you should not conclude that it is because of a herniated disc. Low back pain is extremely common and can be caused by a variety of things. 85% of people have low back pain at some point. How does the pain of a ruptured disc pushing on the nerve feel? Is it a sharp, shooting pain that extends from the buttocks down the back of one leg below the knee? If so, there is likely pressure on the spinal nerve and a herniated disk is definitely a possibility. Simple low back pain often extends into the buttock and thigh, whereas sciatica, the name for pressure on the sciatic nerve, typically goes right down to the toe. Other symptoms to watch for include:

• Weakness in one leg
• Tingling or numbness in one leg or buttock
• A burning pain centered in the neck
• Loss of bladder or bowel control

Neck: Neck pain is also common. However, when pressure is placed on a nerve in the neck, you're more likely to feel the pain in the muscles between your neck and shoulders and the pain may shoot down one arm and, perhaps cause an ache in the back of the head.. Other symptoms include:

• Weakness in one arm
• Tingling or numbness in one arm
• Burning pain in the shoulders, neck or arm
• Loss of bladder or bowel control (If you also have significant weakness in both legs, seek immediate medical attention.)

You can feel the vertebrae in your back, but you can't see what's between them. If you could, you'd see small discs, mostly made up of water but also a jelly-like substance. These "cushions" act as shock absorbers. This gelatinous "disc" compresses and expands as you move. With time, just like your running shoes, the gel compresses and can become less flexible. This, possibly combined with an impact, leads to the disc rupturing and often pushing into the nerve. When the cartilage between the vertebrae tears, the disc is forced out of position and can pinch or rub on the neighboring nerves, which are extremely sensitive to pain. Although this can lead to symptoms, recent studies of people without any back or leg problems have shown that a significant amount of these people actually have a ruptured disc(s) without any pain. Some risk factors for injury include:

• Improper lifting
• Excessive body weight
• Sudden pressure
• Repetitive strenuous activities

Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. For most people, modified activity, , over-the-counter pain relievers or muscle relaxants and cold and hot compresses may be all that is required.

Surgery is usually reserved for people with significant arm or leg, as opposed to back pain. If a disk fragment gets stuck in the spinal canal and presses on a nerve, surgery may be required.

While healing, try not to sit for long stretches. Get up and go for short, slow walks. Talk to your caregiver about exercises to strengthen your lower back and abdominal muscles. You will also need to learn how to control your movements in the future, especially when lifting heavy objects, so that you don't injure yourself again.