Did you know?
If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, you should consult a spine specialist:- Has your low back pain extended down your leg?
- Does your leg pain increase if you lift your knee to your chest or bend over?
- Have you had severe back pain following a recent fall?
- Have you had significant back pain lasting for more than 3 weeks?
- Have you had back pain that becomes worse when you rest, or wakes you up at night?
- Do you have persistent bladder or bowel problems?
Health Facts
Back pain is often caused by obesity
Most people know that obesity contributes to the development of various diseases. However, did you know that obesity is a contributing factor to back pain? It is true. Being overweight or obese can significantly contribute to osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis.
Herniated Discs
| Q: | What is a herniated disc? |
| A: | A disc is a small pad of elastic tissue located between each vertebra in the spinal column. Discs act as shock absorbers for the vertebrae and prevent them from rubbing against each other. Discs are held in place by thick ligaments attached to the vertebrae. Often, these discs break down, and bulge into the spinal canal, or the thick jellylike material inside them seeps out to press against a nerve. The result is what we commonly call a herniated or slipped disc. |
Q: |
What are the symptoms of a herniated disc? |
| A: | The first symptom is usually extreme, sudden pain. In most cases the bottom two discs in the spinal column are the ones that herniate, so the pain usually begins in the lower back. When they bulge, these two discs exert pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing sharp pain to shoot down the leg. Sciatica will affect as much as 40% of the adult population at some point in their lives. Herniated discs higher up in the spine can cause pain and weakness in the neck, shoulders, or arms. Numbness and tingling in toes and fingers, as well as a loss of movement or strength in any part of the body are also symptoms of a herniated disc and could be a sign of a serious problem. It's important to note that pain is often not a matter of a single defect. |
Q: |
How does age affect a disc? |
| A: | The pulpy disc tissue degenerates naturally as we age. And, the supporting ligaments begin to weaken. At a younger age, a single excessive strain is usually the cause of injury to the disc. But as we get older and the wear and tear progresses, a relatively minor strain or twisting movement can cause a disc herniate. Although there are many causes for this wear and tear, the primary factor is genetics. Research has shown that there may be a hereditary predisposition for slipped discs, often with may members of a family being affected. |
Q: |
What other factors contribute to the degeneration process? |
| A: | Stress, tension, overweight, lack of exercise, poor sitting and working posture may aggravate an already existing back condition. The wear and tear of the disc is also spurred by disease such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and certain medications. |
Q: |
When should people see a doctor? |
| A: | They should see a doctor if they suffer from back pain that is accompanied by pain that radiates down their leg or pain that does not seem to go away after a few days of rest. |
Q: |
When is surgery a good option for treating herniated discs? |
| A: | The human body has an amazing ability to heal even when battered by wear and tear. For most people, back pain can usually be eased with a few changes in lifestyle, mild physical therapy, back-strengthening exercises, behavior modification, and a little patience. The majority of back problems go away in four to six weeks with moderate medical attention and pain medication. In a few cases, when the pain is severe and does not respond to non surgical treatment, surgery to remove the bulging disc parts may be a good option. New microsurgery techniques now offer patients quicker recovery and more complete recovery than traditional surgery methods. |
Q: |
How are herniated discs treated? |
| A: | Because there are so many causes of a herniated disc (and all back pain for that matter), each patient commands a different treatment plan. The first approach we take with all our patients is conservative, with treatment consisting of exercise, physical therapy or medication (or a combination thereof). The majority of back problems go away in four to six weeks with moderate medical attention and pain medication. For those who fail conservative treatment there are now new microsurgical techniques that can offer appreciable relief. |
Testimonials
““I had the best doctor,” establishes John. “The Doctor did not rush into surgery. He went to great lengths examining my health conditions, reviewing my past surgeries and meticulously determining the right diagnosis, so that on the day of surgery there were no surprises. ...”John Doe
“The minimally invasive surgery was amazing…to have the pain subside so quickly. I felt the difference immediately...”
Jane Doe
“Prior to surgery, I experienced excruciating pain in the lower lumbar area. The pain caused a great deal of agony and placed unbelievable stress in my life, I feel that the spinal fusion April 16th, has given me back my life, I am active and enjoying life again, with minimal limitations....”
John Doe
Latest news
Visit our media library for access to all of our news videos.
The Spine Institute is often in the news pioneering new treatments to help the reported 34 million Americans 18 years and older who suffer lower back pain, and another 9 million who suffer neck pain. Watch the news coverage here.