Usually, people think that surgery is the only option to manage a herniated disc. Surgery is an intense procedure on your body and can take months or even years to recover fully. In some cases, people may not fully recover from surgery and may struggle with immobility and pain for the rest of their lives. While that usually is rare and depends on the type of surgery you have, surgery usually doesn’t sound pleasant. That is why we at Dr. Han Jo Kim’s office try to do everything to relieve your pain without the use of surgery. Surgery may be necessary in some cases. However, we try natural methods to treat your herniated disc before jumping into surgery. If you have severe back pain and think you may have a herniated disc, we recommend you seek out our Back Pain Doctors in Connecticut.
What is a Herniated Disc?
Vertebrae are the bones that make up the back. The vertebrae have four groups: cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae, and the sacrum/coccyx. The disc between each vertebra is almost like a cushion to prevent the vertebrae from rubbing against one another. These cushions help with avoiding pain and allowing mobility within the back. These discs have a more rigid, tough outer layer and a softer, jelly center layer. If the disc ruptures, this can result in severe pain because there are proteins and other substances within the jelly-like center. A herniated disc can happen throughout the back; however, they are more likely to occur in the lower back as this is the region that bears the most weight and pressure.
Symptoms
Everyone will have different symptoms depending on where the herniated discs are. Some people may not even experience any symptoms. Some people may require surgery to help fix the damage and relieve pain. However, your symptoms can be reduced through natural pain management methods in most cases. The following are the most common symptoms of a herniated disc:
- Pain that travels: Along with the pain you are feeling in your back, you may have pain in other areas depending on where the herniated disc is. For example, if the herniated disc is in the lumbar region, you may have pain in your buttocks or legs. The back is the connection point between the rest of the body and the lower extremities. They are interconnected in some ways.
- Numb or Tingle Feeling: Since the spinal cord is in the back, numbness, and tingling can be herniated disc symptoms. This type of pain involves the nervous system and potentially compromises it when a disc starts to bulge out of place.
If you are experiencing any recurring symptoms above, you should look for our Back Pain Doctors in Connecticut.
Diagnosis
The Back Pain Doctors in Connecticut at Dr. Kim’s office will perform a neurological exam on you to determine whether or not you have a herniated disc in your back. During the exam, they will perform some physical tests to assess your walking ability and your ability to feel certain sensations. Additionally, a doctor may recommend specific imaging tests. An X-ray cannot detect a herniated disc. A CT scan and an MRI are detailed imaging techniques to see the particular back structure. These are more detailed images to determine if and where the disc moved/ruptured.
Treatment
It is essential to understand that surgery is not required to treat a herniated disc. Natural healing methods can help with the pain and manage the condition. The following are natural treatment methods to manage a herniated disc:
- Rest: By resting, you can relieve the swelling and irritation in the back caused by a herniated disc. The back is irritated due to the herniated disc and can benefit immensely from taking it easy on your back. Also, staying off of your legs which may also be in pain, can be beneficial. Giving them back time to rest is a great way to relieve pain and give them back time to heal themselves.
- Physical Therapy: This is a big part of the healing and managing a herniated disc. Physical Therapy is excellent for strengthening the surrounding muscles of the hurt area. For example, going to physical therapy after being diagnosed with a herniated disc can help you immensely. The therapists will focus on strengthening the muscles in your back to help relieve the pressure on the vertebrae in your back. This will ultimately reduce the pain you have in your back and help prevent pain in the future as other muscles in the back will take over during certain activities.
There are other options for treatment, such as medication, injections, and surgery. However, natural remedies should be attempted first because they work in many cases. Contact our Back Pain Doctors in Connecticut to get treatment for your herniated disc.
Contact Our Back Pain Doctors in Connecticut
Dr. Han Jo Kim and his team specialize in treating the spine and any related issues. He has had years of experience and is a prominent surgeon. Before jumping into surgery, we recommend and push natural treatment options for those suffering from herniated discs. We have great success with these natural options and believe you will too if you contact our Back Pain Doctors in Connecticut. Contact our office today to get pain-free!