A herniated disc is a ordinary cause of pain in the lower back. When the discs that cushion the vertebrae in the spine bulge out of place, they can rupture, and put pressure on the nerve roots.

When this happens, it results in varying degrees of pain in the back. Herniated discs can also cause pain, weakness, and numbness in the lower extremities of the body.

A herniated disc can happen anywhere in the spine, but ruptured discs typically happen in the lower back. This type of back injury is more ordinary in people ages 35 and older. Here are some ordinary causes and treatments for a herniated disc in the back.

Causes of a Herniated Disc

As you age, the fluid in the intervertebral discs that help maintain flexibility in the spine starts to disappear. When this happens, the discs become less pliable, and more prone to tears. And because the discs are already vulnerable to hurt, the consistent pressure from everyday wear and tear can cause them to bulge out and rupture.

Some everyday activities that can cause the kind of stress on the spine that leads to slipped discs can include slumping, heavy lifting, repetitive movements, sleeping in awkward positions, being overweight, lack of exercise, and twisting and bending motions. Accidents, impacts, and falls that result in trauma to the spine can also cause herniated discs.

The herniated disc putting pressure on the nerves roots is what really causes the pain in the back. And sometimes a slipped disc can affect other parts of the body, too. If the disc puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, it can cause a condition known as sciatica. This condition causes a burning sensation, and a painful pins-and-needle type feeling to spurt from the lower back all the way down the distance of the legs, hips, and calves.

Herniated Discs Treatments

Herniated discs are painful, and can interfere with your daily activities. But if you refrain from activities and movements that aggravate, or worsen the herniated disc, it will usually resolve itself over time. Heat and cold packs can be applied to the affected area to help relax the muscles, and ease spasms.

Anti-inflammatory or oral steroid medications may be prescribed by your doctor to reduce inflammation, and relieve pressure on the nerves. Depending on your situation, your doctor may choose to administer steroid injections directly to the affected area.

In truly severe cases where other treatments are not effectual, surgery may be required. But, surgery for a herniated disc is a serious procedure, so it is regularly used as a last alternative.

With your doctor’s approval, you can start implementing gentle back stretches, and exercises to regain your flexibility, strengthen your core muscles, and reduce your risk of future herniated discs.

A herniated disc can be painful to deal with, and it can interfere with the quality of your life. But with a little rest, the application of heat and cold packs, gentle exercises, and medications to reduce inflammation, you’ll be back into the swing of things in no time.

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Low back pain keeps you from enjoying the small things in life such as spending time with your kids, taking your pooch on his daily walk, playing a game of golf with your buds, or just lounging in your favorite chair watching television. Nearly every movement you make involves the use of the muscles in your back.

So naturally, when your back is injured, the quality of your life will suffer drastically. Here are some ordinary causes of lower back pain. 

Improper Use of the Back Muscles

The most ordinary causes of back pain are strains and sprains from injuries to the back due to improper use of muscles. Back muscles can inadvertently be injured from engaging in day-to-day activities such as heavy lifting, picking up children, improper bending, toting an oversized purse, slouching in your chair, sitting for long periods of time, and sleeping on a rickety old mattress.

Being overweight can also put extra strain on the muscles in your back and cause lower back pain. The onset of pain from strains and sprains can come immediately, or days later. When the muscles in your back are injured, they will knot-up, or ripple in an try to prevent more hurt. These spasms result in severe low back pain, and difficulty moving. 

Slipped or Herniated Discs

Slipped discs, also known as herniated discs can result from several things including trauma to the back, disc degeneration, aging, sudden twisting movements, excessive pressure on the disk from heavy lifting, and being overweight. A slipped disc in the back puts pressure on the nerves, causes inflammation, and varying degrees of back pain.

A herniated disc can affect more than just the lower back area. If the hurt disc puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, it results in a condition known as sciatica. Sciatica causes burning and needle-like pains that spurt from the lower back, all the way down the distance of the back of the leg.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that can affect several parts of the body, including the back. This condition doesn’t happen overnight; it gradually causes deterioration of the discs between the vertebrae that cushion the bones. Once these disks deteriorate, the vertebrae will press against each other and cause back pain and discomfort. 

Osteoarthritis is more ordinary in older people because the body changes as you age. Body parts travel south, skin starts to thin, and your bones become more fragile due to calcium loss. This loss of calcium makes your bones brittle and more prone to compression breaks that put you at risk for back pain. 

Strains and sprains from improper muscle use, slipped discs, and osteoarthritis can all cause pain in your back. Thankfully, technological advances and improvements in modern medicine have made it possible for chiropractors to offer their patients several choices to manage or end debilitating back pain for excellent.

If you have pain in your lower back, don’t suffer in silence. Friend a back pain specialist to question about available treatment options.

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