Many individuals grappling with a herniated disc have felt trapped in a cycle of despair. They’ve been led to believe that there’s little hope for correcting the issue and have left medical appointments feeling overwhelmed and in excruciating pain.

Frequently, when consulting with primary care physicians or specialists for herniated disc problems, patients are presented with two options: potentially addictive prescription medications that can affect their mood or complex, costly surgeries that may or may not deliver the desired results.

If you’ve ever felt that your choices were limited, resigned to “suffering” and enduring the pain, it’s essential to understand that there’s an alternative.

At DuPage Integrative Medicine in Naperville, IL , we offer conservative, non-surgical, medication-free treatments to alleviate your pain and restore your body to peak performance.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc, also known as a bulging disc, slipped disc, or ruptured disc, involves the soft, jelly-like center (nucleus) of a spinal disc pushing through its tough rubbery exterior (annulus). These discs reside between the vertebrae in your spine and facilitate movement, twisting, and bending.

A herniation can lead to compression of nerves or the spinal cord, resulting in pain and functional impairment.

What Causes a Herniated Disc?

Disc issues are surprisingly common, with the majority occurring in the lower back (lumbar spine). Herniations can also affect the neck (cervical spine) or thoracic spine. A prevalent cause of herniated discs is disc degeneration and injury. As you age, discs tend to dehydrate and weaken, increasing the likelihood of herniation. Various factors contribute to disc herniation, including:

  • Trauma, injury, or accidents
  • Strenuous physical labor
  • Smoking
  • Excess weight or obesity
  • Lifting heavy objects
  • Poor lifting or moving techniques
  • Prolonged periods of sitting
  • Repetitive bending and twisting motions

Maintaining healthy discs and preventing herniation can be achieved through practices such as:

  • Regular stretching
  • Physical exercise
  • Sleeping on a firm mattress
  • Maintaining good posture
  • Employing proper lifting techniques
  • Maintaining a healthy diet
  • Staying adequately hydrated

What Are the Symptoms of a Disc Herniation?

Disc herniations are surprisingly prevalent. According to a 2015 study published in the American Journal of Neuroradiology, nearly one-third of 20-year-olds displayed disc bulges. Furthermore, the study revealed an increasing prevalence of disc bulges with age. A herniated disc represents a worsening of a disc bulge.

Despite their prevalence, not everyone with a herniated disc experiences pain. Pain typically results when the herniated disc compresses a nerve or elicits an inflammatory response during the body’s healing process.

Common symptoms associated with disc herniation include:

  • Low back pain or neck pain
  • Radiating pain that may include burning, tingling, or numbness extending into the legs, feet, and toes
  • Radiating pain that may include burning, tingling, or numbness extending into the arms, hands, or fingers
  • Muscle weakness in the arms, hands, or fingers
  • Muscle weakness in the legs, feet, or toes
  • Difficulty standing or walking
  • Pain around or between the shoulder blades
  • Pain in the sides or back of the neck
  • Loss of bladder and bowel control

Can a Lumbar Herniated Disc Cause Sciatica?

Herniated discs frequently lead to sciatic pain, as they can compress the sciatic nerve. A bulging or herniated disc in the lower back can result in sciatic pain, commonly known as sciatica.

Sciatic pain manifests as radiating pain originating in the buttocks and extending down the leg, sometimes reaching as far as the foot.

For more information on sciatic pain and how DuPage Integrative Medicine can provide relief, please refer to our dedicated page.

How Is a Herniated Disc Treated?

While your body possesses inherent healing abilities, a herniated disc can heal naturally and reabsorb over time. If your herniated disc pain persists beyond a few weeks of rest, it may be time to explore conservative care with a medical professional.

Left untreated, disc herniation pain can escalate, resulting in chronic pain, impaired nerve function, and secondary conditions such as musculoskeletal pain related to posture, weight gain, and depression.

At DuPage Integrative Medicine, we aim to alleviate your suffering. Our objective is to assist individuals in returning to a pain-free life as quickly as possible, without relying on harmful drugs or surgeries.

In our Naperville, IL physical medicine clinic, our medical team conducts thorough examinations and diagnostics to create a personalized treatment plan aimed at healing your herniated disc.

Potential treatment methods include:

  • Cervical traction
  • Lumbar traction
  • Trigger point injections
  • Targeted strengthening and stretching exercises
  • Postural alignment with Chiropractic BioPhysics
  • Chiropractic adjustments
  • Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments
  • Regenerative therapies