by Skylar Taylor

Created on: April 26, 2008

It all started one morning when I was involved in a rear end collision. Immediately, I had symptoms of numbness, tingling and weakness. This I would soon learn was caused by herniated disc. To live with a herniated disc can be simple or a constant battle. In my case it is a constant battle. I have not one but six herniated disc. I have two in my neck, two in my mid back and two in my low back. Of my entire set of herniated disc, I find living with the ones in my low back to present the greatest challenge.

How does one acquire a herniated disc in the first place? Well, there are many causes and factors when it comes to disc herniation. Some of the most common was to herniated a disc are car collisions, improper lifting over long periods of time, sports injuries especially in contact sports and finally the aging process. A herniated disc is a disc that has
There are numerous options available today for repairing a herniated disc or management techniques to help one get through their life. One of the newest and becoming the most prescribed form of treatment is IDD therapy (Internal Disc Decompression) this is a new technique that is similar to traction. In twenty-six visits it is believed to return your disc back to its original location. If surgery is something that must be done; there are two types offered. The first surgery is a minimally invasive procedure using laposcopy. The surgeon makes a small incision into your back and removes the herniated disc and any other impeding fragments. The recovery time is just one day after surgery and then several weeks of light duty. The second type of surgery is very invasive and requires your back to be opened up. The surgeon then removes the herniated disc and often fuses the disc together to prevent future hernations. The problems with this technique are a long recovery time (a minimum of six weeks) and this surgery may cause further damage, pain and often requires future surgeries. Many people with herniated disc are fortunate to be able to have the hernation pushed back into place by a chiropractor but only if their hernation is minor. One other option that is most often prescribed first is a spinal injection; this injection is supposed to fill the area with fluid which will reduce symptoms and push the hernation back into place.

Most people with herniated disc suffer many years after the original hernation and any treatment involved. One must always be caution not to re herniated the disc and often times are permently disabled; requiring a life time of therapy, surgery and pain management. If one does not suffer pain with a herniated disc then all that is required is caution in daily life. This person should be sure to not lift heavy objects, lift anything using proper lifting techniques and most of all always follow ergonomic procedures.

To live with a herniated disc can either be tragic and difficult or it can just be a matter of avoiding anything that may damage the disc further. Most people after the age of thirty suffer from some form of disc hernation or degenerative disc disease. For most there are no symptoms and not problems beyond stiffness and occasional pain. People that fall into this category must treat symptomatically, see a chiropractor, massage therapist, exercise, avoid contact sports and just be careful.

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