Herniated Disc

Integrated Spine and Pain Services

Interventional Pain Management Specialist located in Northern Virginia, Falls Church, VA & Alexandria, VA

A herniated disc, protruded disc or bulging disc as its often known is one of the most common causes of leg, back, arm and neck pain. If you have a painful spine condition, the team at Integrated Spine and Pain Services in Alexandria, Falls Church, Virginia can help. Diana Lam, PA-C, provides effective treatments for the pain and other symptoms of herniated discs, using physical therapies, medication as indicated and image-guided spinal injections. To schedule a consultation, call Integrated Spine and Pain Services today or book an appointment online.

Herniated Disc Q & A

What is a herniated disc?

The discs in your spine sit between the vertebrae. Discs are flexible cushions that prevent damage to the vertebrae. Discs also help your spine to bend and twist. Each disc has a soft core that’s encased in a fibrous outer shell.

Bulging discs have inner cores that are pushing against a weak place in the outer shell. A herniated disc occurs if the inner core protrudes through the outer shell. Herniation and bulging of disc tissue put pressure on the nerve roots in your spinal canal, and it’s this nerve pressure that causes your symptoms.

Herniated discs are common injuries that can occur in any part of your spine. Although it’s possible to have a herniated disc that doesn’t cause you problems, for many people, herniated discs cause severe pain and affect their arms or legs as well.

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?

The symptoms your herniated disc causes can vary depending on which disc is affected, how badly it’s herniated, and what nerves it’s pressing on.

Herniated discs can cause severe back or neck pain. They can also cause numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, and weakness in the affected limbs as well.

Herniated discs tend to occur most often in the lower back. Symptoms from a lumbar herniated disc can affect the buttocks, legs, feet, and neck. Symptoms from a cervical herniated disc can affect the shoulders, arms, and hands.

What treatments are there for herniated discs?

The treatment options the team at Integrated Spine and Pain Services recommends for your herniated disc usually start with conservative approaches like:

Anti-inflammatory medications
Activity modification
Physical therapy

In most cases, your herniated disc will improve using these methods. If you’re not experiencing relief from your symptoms, your provider at Integrated Spine and Pain Services can use advanced pain management therapies such as:

Transforaminal epidural steroid injections
Selective nerve root blocks
Spinal cord stimulator

To ensure the precise placement of spinal injections such as nerve blocks, the team at Integrated Spine and Pain Services uses image-guided techniques like fluoroscopy. Fluoroscopy is a technology that creates moving X-ray images of your spine.

If you think you might have a herniated disc, or you’re suffering from back pain that isn’t improving, call Integrated Spine and Pain Services today or book an appointment online.

Bulging discs have inner cores that are pushing against a weak place in the outer shell.

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