SPINAL DISC PAIN TREATMENT
Back pain caused from spinal disc problems is miserable. Visit us at Spring Creek Medical in Logan and get it taken care ofSpinal Disc Pain Treatment in Logan, UT
Eighty percent of people experience back pain at some point in their lives. For decades, doctors and scientists believed that most back pain was caused by “slipped” or “torn” discs. We have actually now discovered that this is not true.
Disc problems constitute only a small portion of the causes of back pain—and rarely require surgery for pain relief.
What Are Spinal Discs?
Spinal discs are a critical part of your spinal column. Along with the vertebrae, they perform several functions. The discs provide shock absorption and protect the spinal cord. They also ensure spine flexibility.
The spinal discs are basically ligaments (structures connecting bones) that attach the top and bottom of each vertebra. They are thick outer rings and technically known as annulus fibrosis.
What Are The Most Common Disc Problems?
- A disc bulge results from slight tears in the outermost fibers of an annulus fibrosis. These small tears can be painful for a short time.
- A disc protrusion/extrusion, or herniation, is a more significant injury. It is a complete or significant tear of the fibers of an annulus and some of the nucleus leaks through. A herniation is painful and can even cause nerve compression. In the most severe cases, the spinal cord can become compressed.
- The most common disc problem suffered by adults is degenerative disc disease. This occurs when the nucleus loses water and small tears develop. The body then forms osteophytes (bone spurs), along the edges of the vertebra. It used to be a common belief that this was a function of “wear and tear” as you age. However, the most recent evidence shows that there is a hereditary link to the development of degenerative disc disease. It can also be caused by trauma/injury.
What Are The Common Signs and Symptoms of Disc Problems?
What Are The Common Signs and Symptoms of Disc Problems?- Back or neck pain
- Leg or arm pain
- Stiffness
- Tenderness of the spine and spinal muscles
How Are Disc Problems Diagnosed?
Disc problems are most often diagnosed with a physical examination. It includes an examination of your nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Your doctor will most likely move your back, arms and legs into various positions while applying pressure to your joints. X-rays are also helpful in diagnosing some forms of disc problems. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) also gives definitive results to diagnose disc problems.
How Do You Treat Spinal Disc Problems?
Luckily, in most circumstances, disc problems are easily treated with conservative interventions. Early in the course of an acute injury, the Spring Creek Medical team focus on pain management and uses several different modalities to reach it. Both ice and heat are effective in managing acute low-back pain from an injury.
Additionally, getting you back on your feet and moving as quickly and as safely as possible is critical. Typically, the less time you spend in bed, the better off you are in terms of long-term results. It’s also important to not to be afraid to move. If you “baby” your back, in most cases, the long-term results will be worse. Chiropractic spinal manipulation has also been demonstrated to be a safe and effective tool for disc problems. It is especially effective when combined with physical therapy.