Many people experience muscle aches and nerve problems, some with minor but manageable pain, and some with excruciating and debilitating pain. However, those suffering slipped disc symptoms, may not be aware of just how serious the issue actually is. Listening to your body and recognizing these symptoms is key to receiving timely treatment, thereby shortening recovery time, and avoiding lingering or permanent symptoms down the road.
Causes
According to Spine-Health.com, slipped discs, also known as herniated or bulging discs, occur when the disc of soft cartilage tissue between each vertebra in the spine is compressed or worn down, causing the vertebrae to grind against each other or pinch the nearby nerves running through the spinal column.
The Laser Spine Institute explains that spinal disc pathology can “occur in any part of the spine, but most commonly in the cervical (upper) and lumbar (lower) regions.” So, depending on where the displaced disc is located in the spine, determines where and how the associated symptoms will present in each patient and can vary from person to person. It is precisely because the symptoms can vary so widely, and because they often mimic everyday aches and pains, that distressed discs are easily overlooked or ignored.
Signs of Disc Failure
The most commonly mistaken symptoms are neck and back pain, which are most often assumed to be merely run-of-the-mill muscle tightness or soreness. However, if you’re experiencing what’s called radiating pain — pain that begins in the neck and shoots down into the arms, or begins in the lower back and radiates down the buttocks and legs — then it’s likely that some nerves are being pinched. If the pain is intermittent or becomes acutely debilitating, it’s likely that the condition is exacerbated by particular movements which squeeze the disc more tightly, such as sitting or standing for long periods, or bending, twisting, or lifting unsafely.
Nerve strain can also manifest itself in periodic, recurring symptoms like aching, burning, or tingling sensations, and in worse cases, partial or complete limb numbness. Another strong indicator of nerve injury is pain or numbness along only one side of the body. Prolonged numbness is a clear signal from your body’s early warning system, to seek medical assistance.
More severe disc and nerve compression can exhibit as muscle weakness. This may express itself as loss of fine or gross motor function, trouble walking, and in cases known as “saddle symptoms,” pain or weakness in the muscles of the legs and buttocks, sometimes leading to incontinence.
If chronic symptoms worsen in frequency or severity, consult a medical professional as soon as possible. If left untreated, the repeated or consistent compression of the intervertebral discs and spinal nerves, may become increasingly painful, and lead to permanent nerve damage or partial paralysis. Healthline.com recommends immediate medical attention if symptoms include trouble grasping or holding objects, tremors, whole-limb weakness or numbness, or those affecting the bladder or bowel.
Treatment
While some herniated discs and their associated nerve pain do eventually subside on their own with time and regular exercise, Healthline.com recommends these home remedies for mild pain, especially those caused by positional triggers.
However, having been through this process myself, I can tell you firsthand that it’s not something you want to take lightly. Often, doctors can assess the situation from a simple MRI, and prescribe a course of physical therapy or workspace modifications, especially if you catch it early. So don’t delay the diagnosis by trying to “tough it out.” Listen to your body– if it’s throwing up red flags onto the field, take yourself in for ‘official review.’
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Sources: [Healthline, Laser Spine Institute, Spine Health]
