Herniated Disc Symptom Indicative Of A Disc Damage
Herniated disc may appear at any part of your spine. But most of these instances occur in the lower area called the lumbar spine. Some cases also are referred to as cervical herniated disc where the damaged disc is found on the neck area, while it is rare to occur in the thoracic spine.
As a person gets older, his or her discs become dry and brittle and not as flexible anymore. For these reasons, the disc has a great tendency to wear out and tear; thus, resulting to a herniated disc. A herniated disc symptom will serve as some warning shot to let you know you have a damaged disc within you. Any spinal injury will bring some tear or crack in the disc's outer layer, which is called the annulus fibrosus. As this happens, the gel-like substance inside the disc will protrude or bulge out into the outer layer. As the disc bulge out, it will compress on some sensitive nerves causing some pain that is commonly felt in the low back area down to the legs. Thus, a herniated disc symptom is confirmed.
Numbness and muscle weakness on the lower part of the body is another herniated disc symptom. A herniated disc developed within the lower back, oftentimes yield some numbness from the buttocks down the leg. This is referred to as sciatica and is considered to be the most common herniated disc symptom. Other signs of a herniated disc are leg pains that usually occur on one particular leg, loss of bladder and bowel control and pain on thigh area particularly the front part.
In the event where herniated discs are not pressing on any nerve, then you are not likely to feel any symptoms of it. The signs are basically because of the nerves being compressed or disturbed by the bulging discs.
Aside from a herniated disc symptom, doctors come up with diagnosis by throwing out some questions related to disc damages and by some physical examinations. If the signs are clearly pointing at a herniated disc condition, other advanced tests like the magnetic resonance imaging and computer tomography scan may not be necessary anymore.
Symptoms usually get better after some weeks or months with enough rest and proper exercise. It is important to give yourself some time to relax, in order not to strain further the affected nerve behind your back. For some, keeping active helps, like walking and other light activities. Maintaining a proper posture is likewise befitting and favorable.
Maintaining a physical routine suggested by your doctor or a professional physical therapist is beneficial as well. It will sure help you eliminate a herniated disc symptom in no time.
