What Is A Herniated Disc?

A Herniated Disc describes an issue with the cartilage that rests between your vertebrae. This disc is named an Intervertebral Disc because it lies between every one of your vertebrae to absorb shock and to prevent your spine from rubbing together. Over time, due to age or excessive trauma, these discs may become damaged or cracked. Intervertebral Discs have a soft-cartilage center and hard cartilage outer ring. Damage to the outer ring can result in the leakage of the soft cartilage, or herniation to the outer edges of the disc. This can pinch nerves and cause severe pain that ranges from annoying to positively debilitating.

How Do You Know If Your Disc is Herniated?

Usually you know because you are in pain. The pain can be a slightly annoying ache for some, while others cannot partake in normal daily activities because of the pain. Numbness and tingling can also be common symptoms of a Herniated Disc. The nervous system is all connected, so pressure on a nerve in your spine may cause pain throughout your entire body. Often, a Herniated Disc putting pressure on the nerve is felt in the arms and legs and can interfere with basic movement. Medication and sometimes surgery are often called for to treat the pain, but Physical Therapy directed by the Elite Spine & Sports Care of Totowa Physical Therapy staff can help you get back to moving properly while improving the potential causes of Disc Herniation such as bad posture or lack of movement.

Can You Treat A Herniated Disc?

Fortunately non-surgical treatments are the most common solutions to Herniated Discs. Manual therapy, Therapeutic exercises to strengthen and stabilize the muscles surrounding the spine, deep tissue laser therapy, and therapeutic modalities can be of help in limiting and possibly eliminating the effects of a disc herniation.

The Physical Therapists at Elite Spine & Sports Care of Totowa can help with exercises and posture to initially address the pain of a herniated disc. Preparing the muscles surrounding the spine to correct your posture is essential for relieving pain. Also, the ability to use pinpointed, deep laser therapy can get deep into the tissue and muscles and relieve your pain without the use of drugs or surgery.

Seek Professional Help

Finding out what techniques work for your situation, and how strength and posture correction can help prevent future issues related to herniated discs, can both alleviate current pain and prevent future injury. Our experienced Physical Therapists can provide you with the necessary tools to improve your quality of life. Physical Therapy offers non-surgical treatment for a herniated disc. Correct posture and muscle development are key to living a healthy and active, pain-free life. Talk to the Physical Therapy staff at Elite Spine & Sports Care of Totowa to discover the best treatment for your pain. We can be reached at (862) 239-1768.