What's a Herniated Disc, Pinched Nerve, Bulging Disc...?
This painful lower back condition can occur from the acute strain of lifting a heavy object or as a slowly evolving condition over time. Herniated disc symptoms include deep lower back pain, sharp pain in the buttocks, hamstring pain, and/or leg pain.
You may have difficulty changing positions or sitting comfortably for more than a few minutes at a time.
Lumbar disc herniations include bulging discs, lumbar disc stenosis, and lumbar disc herniations with nerve root compression.
There are many terms used to describe spinal disc pathology and associated pain, such as "herniated disc," "pinched nerve," and
"bulging disc," and all are used differently and, at times, interchangeably.
The 5 Most Dangerous Words..."Maybe It Will Go Away!"
Unfortunately, healthcare professionals do not agree on a precise definition of any of these terms, and patients may be frustrated when they hear their diagnosis referred to in different terms. The unusually wide range of terms used to describe spinal disc problems (such as ruptured disc, torn disc, slipped disc, collapsed disc, disc protrusion, disc disease, and black disc) can add to the confusion.
Rather than caring about which term is used to describe the disc, it is more useful for patients to gain a clear understanding of the precise medical diagnosis.
The medical diagnosis identifies the actual cause of the patient’s back pain, leg pain and other symptoms.
How A Lumbar Disc Herniates
A tough outer ring called the annulus protects the gel-like interior of each disc, known as the nucleus pulposus.
Due to aging and general wear and tear, the discs lose some of the fluid that makes them pliable and spongy. As a result, the discs tend to become flatter and harder. This process—known as disc degeneration—starts fairly early in life, often showing up in imaging tests in early adulthood.
When pressure or stress is placed on the spine, the disc’s outer ring may bulge, crack, or tear. If this occurs in the lower back (the lumbar spine), the disc protrusion may push against the nearby spinal nerve root. Or the inflammatory material from the interior may irritate the nerve. The result is shooting pains into the buttock and down the leg.
Sciatica is often characterized by one or more of the following Symptoms:
- Constant pain in only one side of the buttock or leg (rarely in both legs)
- Pain that is worse when sitting
- Leg pain that is often described as burning, tingling, or searing (versus a dull ache)
- Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving the leg, foot, and/or toes
- A sharp pain that may make it difficult to stand up or walk
- Pain that radiates down the leg and possibly into the foot and toes (it rarely occurs only in the foot)
Sciatic pain can vary from infrequent and irritating to constant and incapacitating. Symptoms are usually based on the location of the pinched nerve.
Suffering with Back Pain or Sciatica? Call 720-493-5885 Today!
Disc Bulge / Herniated Disc
Bulging / Herniated Discs in Lakewood
The bones of the spine are separated by tough cartilage pads called intervertebral discs, literally meaning "between the bones of the spine). Healthy discs are like a wet sponge - they are thick and flexible. This allows a wide range of bending and twisting motions in the spine. An unhealthy disc is like a dry sponge - stiff and hard. This makes it prone to injuries such as bulging or herniation. Over time, the discs in the spine may compress or degenerate, due to an accumulation of trauma, untreated joint disfunction, or simply gravity. This constant compression prevents much-needed oxygen and nutrients from entering the disc, and the once-tough outer layers of the disc can soften and allow the disc to become injured or diseased. The discs of the neck (cervical spine) and low back (lumbar spine) are the most commonly injured, although these types of injuries can occur in any of the spinal discs.
Significant disc damage can lead to a Disc Bulge, become a tear called a Disc Herniation or the inner gelatinous material of the disc can leak out in the case of a Ruptured Disc. The "jelly center" of the disc can also dry out over time which is referred to as Degenerative Disc Disease. All forms of disc injury can eventually impinge on the nerves exiting the spine ("pinched nerve") which can create numbness, tingling, burning or sharp pain down the arms or legs. Sharp pain originating from the back and "shooting" down the legs is often referred to as sciatica.
Disc Bulge Disc | Herniation Disc | Rupture
Disc bulge Definition
A Disc Bulge occurs when the tough outer fibers of the spinal disc weaken and stretch allowing the "jelly center" of the disc to "bulge" outward. A Disc Bulge is generally considered the first step toward a more serious problem called a Herniated Disc. A Herniated Disc is similar to a Disc Bulge except that the outer layers of the disc actually weaken to the point of tearing.
Herniated Disc Definition
A Herniated Disc occurs when the tough outer fibers of the spinal disc tear, thus allowing the "jelly center" of the disc to herniate or bulge outward. A Herniated Disc is generally considered to be more serious than a Disc Bulge where the outer wall of the disc is weakened but not torn.
Disc Bulge / Disc Herniation Symptoms
The majority of symptoms caused by a Disc Bulge or Herniated Disc are related to irritation of spinal nerves. These nerves exit the spine through small holes called foramen. The spinal discs are located next to these nerve passageways, and the bulging of the disc material can "pinch" these nerves, thereby creating a variety of uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating symptoms.
Disc Bulge / Herniated Disc of the Low Back- Lumbar Spine Disc Bulge
A Disc Bulge in the low back can cause low back pain or numbness, tingling, burning, sharp pain or weakness in the legs or feet. Sharp pain along the back of the legs is often referred to as sciatica.
Disc Bulge / Herniated Disc of the Neck- Cervical Spine Disc Bulge
A Disc Bulge in the neck can cause neck pain, or in more severe cases, numbness, tingling, burning, sharp pain or weakness in the arms or hands.
Unfortunately, the majority of back pain/disc bulge sufferers are learning to “deal” with the problem, rather than getting to the root cause of the pain and fixing it permanently. Disc bulge back pain suffers take pain medication, sleep in certain positions, stop exercising, avoid road trips/vacations and plan their lives around back problems.
Chronic low back pain from a disc bulge can be a direct result of postural abnormalities, auto accident injuries, work place accidents or sports injury. Back pain affects 42% of Americans and contributes to a lack of productivity at work and home and triggers a whole slew of health problems.
Our Approach for treatment of Low back pain / Disc Bulge in Lakewood
At Renew Chiropractic in Lakewood, we focus on Chiropractic Biophysics. As the name implies, this advanced & scientific chiropractic method aims to realign the spine back to its normal curvature, alleviating dangerous and unnecessary pressure on the nerves in your back.
If you or a loved one is suffering with low back pain from a disc bulge, We can help! Call Dr. Jason Jumper at Renew Chiropractic in Lakewood: 720-493-5885.
The 5 Most Dangerous Words..."Maybe It Will Go Away!"
Customer Review
"1 week and I already feel 100%. No pain what so ever."I came across Dr. Jumper through a co-worker. My lower back has been hurt for about 9 years with a lot of pain. I’ve been seeing him for about 1 week and I already feel 100%. No pain what so ever, but were working on fixing the problem so it doesn’t come back.
Jose R. Google Review
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Customer Review
"Three weeks of treatment with Dr. Jumper and my pain went from a 10 to a 2. I could walk, swim and stand without consequence."
Ron C.
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"I was in excruciating pain, all down my left leg, butt and foot. I couldn't walk 10 feet without having to sit down. Standing for longer than a few seconds was out of the question. My MRI showed a severely bulging disc. My family doctor and my then chiropractor all suggested surgery which I strongly opposed. My daughter suggested I see Dr. Jumper. I was skeptical, but desperate. He immediately took X-Rays and explained my diagnosis which was far worse than just a bulging disc. He told me what he could do for me and I that I would not be in need surgery. Three weeks of treatment with Dr. Jumper and my pain went from a 10 to a 2. I could walk, swim and stand without consequence. I was and am still amazed. I will need additional treatment to get my hips and spine straight, but he assures me of no surgery and that I will be skiing and back bike riding in no time. Finally a doctor who actually cares about his patients and is deeply concerned for there recovery. Thank you Dr. Jumper. "
Ron Carda -Google Review-
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No guarantee of specific results and that the results can vary - See health disclaimer
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