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CAUSES OF LOW BACK PAIN: DISC HERNIATION INSIDE : • Causes of Low Back Pain: Disc Herniation • Patient Success Spotlight Written By: Mary McCarthy, PT, DPT
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What Is It? Your low back is comprised of bones (vertebrae) stacked on top of each other. Between each two vertebra is a disc made of connective tissue and liquid. The discs act as a cushion between the vertebrae. When a disc pushes out of its normal circular alignment, creating a bulge in the side of the disc, it is called a herniation. If the bulge bumps against the nerves in your back, it can cause low back pain and possibly numbness, tingling or weakness down one or both legs. What Causes It? Disc herniation is usually caused by excessive strain on the low back. Studies show that you put a large strain on your discs when you bend forward, and even more strain when you bend and rotate at the same time. Think about lifting a case of water from the bottom of the shopping cart and putting it in your car without moving your feet. Disc herniations can happen suddenly, or can occur over time if a person’s job requires heavy lifting, e.g. warehouse stockers, construction workers, or nursing assistants. How Can It Be Prevented? By using good body mechanics and maintaining a strong core, you can prevent back injuries. Proper lifting techniques, squatting using your legs instead of bending your back, keeping the load close to the body, and standing up completely before
turning, can prevent damage to your discs. Keeping a strong core stabilizes the lumbar spine and helps protect it from injury. Often, the only treatment people need for an existing disc herniation is physical therapy to help with core strengthening and proper training on body mechanics (1) . The Doctor Said I Have A Herniated Disc…What Now? First, having a herniated disc does NOT mean you have to have back pain. Only 4-6% of herniated discs actually cause pain (2) . If your herniated disc is the cause of your low back pain, physical therapy management has been proven to be very successful in resolving pain and is considered the first line of treatment. Greater than 90% of people with herniated discs report good or excellent outcomes from physical therapy alone (1) . If your herniated disc pain does not resolve with physical therapy, other options are available, such as chiropractic care, injections, or surgery to help manage your symptoms. References: 1. Saal JA, Saal JS. Nonoperative treatment of herniated lumbar intervertebral disc with radiculopathy. An outcome study. Spine 1989;14:431-437. 2. Frymoyer JW. Lumbar disk disease: Epidemiology. Instr Course Lect. 1992;41:217-223
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