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Herniated Disc
Herniated disc is a common but often overlooked condition that can occur in people of all ages and backgrounds, although it is more frequently found in older populations. The term describes a condition in which one of the intervertebral discs tears or ruptures, allowing the soft inner layer to escape and leak into the spinal canal or surrounding tissue.
There are two main ways for a herniated disc to occur:
- Gradually over time - In this case, the disc can slowly deteriorate for years without being noticed. Common causes of wear and tear include aging, rough sports, heavy lifting as required by some jobs, and more.
- Suddenly - Traumatic injury such as from a car accident is a widespread cause of herniated disc. Sports injuries and other physically jarring experiences can also be serious enough to cause the disc to tear.
Healing a Herniated Disc
Once a herniated disc is present, it usually heals properly with time and rest. In many cases, the leak is not severe enough to cause symptoms, and some people don't even realize their discs have been affected. For those people with significant symptoms, however, there are many conservative treatment techniques that can be used to alleviate suffering, including stretching, spinal decompression, pain medications, anti-inflammatory spinal injections, and more.
For more information on herniated disc causes, symptoms, and treatments, including endoscopic spine procedures, contact Laser Spine Institute. We offer a complimentary review of your CT scan or MRI and will let you know if you qualify for treatment at our facility.