Herniated disc
Definition
A herniated or bulging disc occurs when the outer fibers of the disc weaken and tear and the inner nucleus loses volume and narrows. The nucleus may bulge back enough putting pressure on a nerve and causing pain. A herniated disc is the first stage of posterior disc protrusion. Stage two is a prolapsed disc which occurs when the nucleus bulges into the spinal cord. Stage three is when inner material separates from the nucleus and is free floating in the neural canal.
Mechanism of Injury
Repeated microtrauma, usually from poor body mechanics of repeated loading in flexion, or a major trauma can lead to disc pathology.
Symptoms
Low back pain, peripheral pain, numbness/ tingling down the leg(s) and/or into the feet/toes, a lateral shift, lower extremity weakness, and a decrease in reflexes.
Symptoms are typically aggravated with prolonged sitting, and repeated forward bending, but are alleviated with walking.
Physical Therapy Intervention
Rec Center Physical Therapy can be the first line of defense for those suffering from a disc pathology by offering treatments such as education regarding body mechanics and posture, exercises to address areas of weakness, spinal stabilization to improve core control, modalities to decrease pain, manual therapy, and mechanical traction to decompress the spine.