Pain From A Herniated Disc
Dr. Yasin Khan is a board-certified anesthesiologist with a subspecialty in Pain Management. He cares for patients with chronic pain from cancer or non-cancer pain. His holistic approach to treating chronic pain include medication management, identifying pain generator using diagnostic interventional techniques which includes... more
Discs are gel cushions between the vertebrae raise that allows us to do different movements such as twisting, turning, and bending. This gives us the ability to move our back slowly. Pressure on the spinal nerves will send painful signals to the brain.
When considering whether or not the pain is coming from a herniated disc, think of the source of your pain. A herniated disc can happen in the neck, chest, or lower back. The most common herniation is in the lower back. A herniated disc often occurs from a traumatic injury such as a lifting injury, particularly when lifting and twisting. As we get older, the disc dries, makes it easier to damage the disc. Degenerative disc disease is a condition that occurs naturally from normal wear and tear of spinal discs.
A patient will have more than just back pain with a herniated disc. They will get sciatica-like pain symptoms that start in the lower back and radiate down the buttock and the leg. If the herniation is in the neck, pain may go down the arm. If the pain is from the thoracic spine, you will get a band-like pain sensation in the chest region.
Usually, the pain radiated is the initial leakage of fluid, which is very inflammatory to the nerve. This inflammation will cause severe pain. When the pain is prolonged after inflammation goes down, that is because of the compression of the disc on to the nerve. If treatment is delayed and not addressed right away, you may have permanent damage to the nerve.
Pain symptoms vary from sharpshooting, stabbing, burning pain, to a deep aching sensation. If you have a herniated disc, your back will not feel as strong as it normally would. Treatment for a disc herniation consists of medications, rest, spinal injections with steroids, physical therapy, and exercise.
Do you feel your pain from your disc herniation is affecting other areas of the body? If you suspect a disc herniation or degenerative disc disease, our physicians at the Comprehensive Pain Centers can help you. We will do a comprehensive physical examination and imaging studies to confirm the diagnosis. We can help you manage your pain with medications and corticosteroid injections in the back. We recommend undergoing physical therapy and exercise programs to strengthen your back, we can also refer you to physical therapy.
