Disc Herniation

The intervertebral disc is the shock absorber between two vertebrae. At times the disc looses structural stability and it buckles forming a disc bulge which often pre-empts a disc herniation. Disc herniations can compress and irritate a nerve and produce pain and symptoms like sciatica and arm pain.

Why does disc herniation happen?
In order to stay healthy a disc needs a mobile and balanced spine. The causes that can lead to a disc herniation are

• Sedentarity
• Chronic bad postures
• Small repetitive traumas
• Lift a heavy weight in the wrong way
• Major trauma like road traffic accidents, push-bike accidents, slippping on ice etc.
• Chronic emotional stress

When a lumbar disc herniates it can give:

• Low back pain either across the back or only on one side
• Pain in the gluteal region and/or in the leg, better know as "sciatica"
• Pins and needles or numbness in the leg, calf or foot
• Difficulty in walking on heels or toes
• Difficulties in bearing a position for long time (either sitting or standing)

When a cervical disc herniates it can give:

• Pain in the neck and shoulders
• Pain in the arm and hand (brachialgia)
• Pins and needles or numbnessin the arm and hand
• Difficulty in gripping and/or holding the arm up