I’ve had a couple people ask me exactly what a herniated disc is and if it is at all similar to a ruptured, bulging or slipped disc.
Well, let me begin by saying that I’m not a medical professional but having been plagued with back problems for most of my life, I have spoken to many healthcare professionals and have studied the back at length.
I, myself, have been diagnosed with a herniated disc so I’ll just say that this qualifies me to at least speak about my own condition. A herniated disc is basically the same as a ruptured, protruding or a slipped disc. These terms seem to be used interchangeably when referring to a herniated disc. A bulging disc is what happens just prior to the disc herniation.
As you’re probably already aware, the spine is a series of vertabrae all stacked on top of one another, each with a soft, spongy shock absorbing disc in between to keep the vertabra from rubbing against one another.
The disc is made up of 2 parts. The inside of the disc is made up of a jelly-like substance called the nucleus pulposus. The outer covering is made up of tough cartilage called the annulus. A herniated disc occurs when some action causes the jelly-like center to push through the outer wall and into the spinal canel. A disc bulge, on the other hand, is when the disc compresses and the jelly-like center pushes on the outer wall but does not penetrate it. When a disc herniates, it usually pushes against the nerve roots exiting the spinal canal causing varying degrees of low back pain and sciatica.
The most common symptom of a herniated disc is sciatica. Sciatica pain can vary greatly. Some will have severe pain and numbness and tingling down one or both legs. Others, like myself, may experience lesser degrees of pain and just some tingling down one leg. Other possible symptoms may be weakness in the legs and in severe cases, loss of bowel and/or bladder control. In these sever cases, please seek medical attention immediately.
Fortunately my research led me to find a solution for my herniated disc and for most back pain symptoms. Find out more at www.stopthebackache.com
