Spinal Cord Herniated Disc

Spine herniated disc and chronic back pain treatments are necessary if the small spongy discs in the spinal column become damaged. The main purpose of the disc is to cushion the vertebra in the back from rubbing bone on bone. Also the nerve endings that come out of the spinal column can not be irritated.

Although a herniated disc can happen in the upper back most times it is the lower back area that is affected.  It is a natural process to age and as you age the spinal discs begin to dry out. When the outer layer of the disc dries out it can then easily crack, tear, or even break into pieces. Then the inner gel of the disc oozes out through the outer layer and can bulge to one side.

This is where the problem gets worse. The bulging then causes the opposite side of the disc to get closer together and begins to irritate the nerve endings. This then is the cause of your back pain. A herniated disc is the final stage after a bulging disc has occurred. Pain in the buttocks and down the leg can happen and is called sciatic pain.

There are those that have a herniated disc in which the nerve ending is unaffected and thus have no pain at all. A sure sign of a herniated disc is leg weakness or numbness in the legs. It can be an issue in one or both legs so if you have this leg pain get to a doctor as soon as possible.