Herniated Disc Specialist

What is a herniated disc?

You have a herniated disc when one of your spinal discs (the cushioning pads between your spinal bones) develops a tear in its outer layer. This tear allows the jellylike disc nucleus to push outward and into the spinal canal.

The protruding disc material often irritates nerves in your spine, which then causes pain and other symptoms. Herniated discs can occur in either your neck (cervical spine) or lower back (lumbar spine), but they’re especially common in the lower back. 

The main cause of herniated discs is aging, which leads to changes in your discs. Discs harden and become more likely to tear, so certain sharp strains or twisting movements could potentially cause herniation. Uncommonly, a traumatic injury could also cause disc herniation. 

What does a herniated disc feel like?

Some of the most common symptoms of a herniated disc are:

• Back pain (lumbar herniated disc)
• Neck pain (cervical herniated disc)
• Muscle spasms in the back or neck
• Sciatica: Pain that shoots down one buttock and leg
• Pain that shoots from your neck to your shoulder and arm
• Weakness in your leg, foot, arm, or hand
• Numbness in your leg, foot, arm, or hand
• Pins-and-needles sensation in your leg, foot, arm, or hand

A herniated disc doesn’t always cause issues, but an asymptomatic herniated disc can worsen and start causing symptoms at any time. 

How is a herniated disc treated?

Capital Pain Consultants offers a range of solutions for herniated disc treatment. Some of the most common treatments are:

• Physical therapy
• Medication, such as muscle relaxers and pain medication
• Custom orthotics
• Bracing
• Steroid injections
• Radiofrequency ablation

If you have continued severe pain, you could be a good candidate for an advanced interventional pain management treatment. 

Capital Pain Consultants offers spinal cord stimulators, implanted devices that prevent pain signals from reaching your brain. Another option is an intrathecal pain pump, a device that delivers pain medication directly to the spine to stop pain signals. 

With this broad range of pain management options, you can control herniated disc pain and avoid major surgery.

If you have severe back or neck pain and suspect a herniated disc, reach out to Capital Pain Consultants by phone or through the online scheduling link now.