When one of the discs between the vertebrae of the spine becomes damaged, the inner gel-like matter can get forced out, impinging nerves in the surrounding area and causing pain and numbness in the limbs. When afflicted by the discomfort of spinal disc herniation Ashburn VA residents need to know that recovery is possible and what approaches to healing are offered.
In order to diagnose a patient with this condition, the physician will take a detailed medical history, conduct a physical examination, and most likely order diagnostic tests such as an MRI or a CT scan. The doctor will usually have a pretty good idea of where the herniated disc is located based on the nature of the patient's reported symptoms, and the imaging tests will usually confirm these suspicions.
Similar in some respect to degenerative disc disease, herniation actually stems from a different source and results in another classification of pain. The former occurs within the disc space and leads to axial pain. The latter happens due to aging or an injury, and is responsible for radicular, or nerve root pain. Most often seen in the lower spine, it can also produce sciatica, a painful sensation extending from the buttocks to the legs.
Herniations in the lower or lumbar region of the spine are the most frequently occurring type and are often responsible for the painful condition called "sciatica". Pinched nerves in the spine cause pain which runs across the buttocks and into one or both legs. There may also be a numb or tingling sensation in the feet and legs, and the reflexes of the ankles may be impaired.
When six weeks have passed, and the patient shows no signs of natural recovery from a lumbar herniation, the doctor will normally start a treatment regimen of non-surgical therapies. One or a combination of chiropractic manipulation, physical therapy, hot and cold applications, epidural cortisone injections, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and oral steroids may be employed. In cases where relief is minimal or none, surgical intervention in the forma of a microdiscectomy or lumbar fusion surgery may be required.
Cervical, or spinal herniations which occur in the neck, are most common in young to middle-aged adults. This type is associated with pain felt primarily in the shoulders, arms, or hands. The location of the affected nerve determines the extent of the numbness, tingling, and pain experienced by the patient. One's ability to grip the hands may also be hindered.
Pain due to cervical herniations will often respond well to non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, activity modification, chiropractic adjustment, traction, and bracing. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, narcotic painkillers, both injectable and oral, and muscle relaxants can also be effective. When these measure fail to work, a simple surgical repair will normally lead to a complete recovery.
Thoracic, or herniations of the spine found in the chest region, are much less common than the other two types. In many instances, they will not even produce any symptoms. However, if a person does suffer pain in the upper back caused by a thoracic herniation, a non-surgical approach which involves the use of analgesic medications, anti-inflammatory injections, application of ice packs, chiropractic adjustments, and strengthening exercises, will usually result in healing. Decompression surgery is indicated only in cases of extreme pain or spinal cord dysfunction.
In order to diagnose a patient with this condition, the physician will take a detailed medical history, conduct a physical examination, and most likely order diagnostic tests such as an MRI or a CT scan. The doctor will usually have a pretty good idea of where the herniated disc is located based on the nature of the patient's reported symptoms, and the imaging tests will usually confirm these suspicions.
Similar in some respect to degenerative disc disease, herniation actually stems from a different source and results in another classification of pain. The former occurs within the disc space and leads to axial pain. The latter happens due to aging or an injury, and is responsible for radicular, or nerve root pain. Most often seen in the lower spine, it can also produce sciatica, a painful sensation extending from the buttocks to the legs.
Herniations in the lower or lumbar region of the spine are the most frequently occurring type and are often responsible for the painful condition called "sciatica". Pinched nerves in the spine cause pain which runs across the buttocks and into one or both legs. There may also be a numb or tingling sensation in the feet and legs, and the reflexes of the ankles may be impaired.
When six weeks have passed, and the patient shows no signs of natural recovery from a lumbar herniation, the doctor will normally start a treatment regimen of non-surgical therapies. One or a combination of chiropractic manipulation, physical therapy, hot and cold applications, epidural cortisone injections, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and oral steroids may be employed. In cases where relief is minimal or none, surgical intervention in the forma of a microdiscectomy or lumbar fusion surgery may be required.
Cervical, or spinal herniations which occur in the neck, are most common in young to middle-aged adults. This type is associated with pain felt primarily in the shoulders, arms, or hands. The location of the affected nerve determines the extent of the numbness, tingling, and pain experienced by the patient. One's ability to grip the hands may also be hindered.
Pain due to cervical herniations will often respond well to non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, activity modification, chiropractic adjustment, traction, and bracing. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, narcotic painkillers, both injectable and oral, and muscle relaxants can also be effective. When these measure fail to work, a simple surgical repair will normally lead to a complete recovery.
Thoracic, or herniations of the spine found in the chest region, are much less common than the other two types. In many instances, they will not even produce any symptoms. However, if a person does suffer pain in the upper back caused by a thoracic herniation, a non-surgical approach which involves the use of analgesic medications, anti-inflammatory injections, application of ice packs, chiropractic adjustments, and strengthening exercises, will usually result in healing. Decompression surgery is indicated only in cases of extreme pain or spinal cord dysfunction.
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For treatments on your spinal disc herniation Ashburn VA spine clinic is the right place to be. Schedule for an examination as soon as possible through this link http://ashburnspinecare.com.