Real Solutions for Back Pain Caused by Herniated Discs

Are you struggling with intense lower back pain? Do you notice straightening up all the way is painful or impossible? Did this pain start after lifting something heavy or twisting your back? If you nodded ‘yes’ to these questions, you might have a condition known as a herniated disc. Don’t worry; there are proven strategies that can help you feel good again!

Herniated discs are not always painful, but they can be excruciating when they are. Due to the severity of pain associated with a herniated disc, people will try to avoid hurting themselves more and avoid activity. Unfortunately, misguided healthcare practitioners still recommend rest or, worse, bed rest, which is why getting proper treatment is essential! At Kinetix Physical Therapy, our team of specialized physical therapists is fully equipped to guide you toward the relief you’ve been seeking, starting with convenient in-house diagnostic testing all the way through a tailored plan to get you back to the activities you love!

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The Kinetix Physical Therapists Are Dry Needling Certified!

• What it is: Dry needling is considered safe and involves inserting a thin, monofilament needle into specific areas within muscles.
• What it does: It stimulates the muscle fibers, releases trigger points (tight, tender knots in the muscle), and improves blood flow, which can help reduce pain and stiffness.
• Benefits: Dry needling can be effective for muscle pain, back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, and even headaches.
• Difference from acupuncture: While both use needles, dry needling focuses on myofascial trigger points in muscles, while acupuncture aims to stimulate specific points on the body to balance energy flow.

Understanding the Nitty-Gritty of a Herniated Disc

To understand a herniated disc, it’s important first to understand the role of spinal discs. Your discs are like shock absorbers in your spine, absorbing compressive forces and permitting smooth, free movements like bending forward, backward, and rotating. 

However, as we age, our discs naturally degenerate, begin to dry out, become more stiff, and weaken, becoming more susceptible to herniation. Think of your discs as being like grapes when you’re young and then drying up to be more like raisins as you age. 

In addition to age, several variables can elevate your risk of experiencing a herniated disc, including:

• Smoking: Cigarettes are thought to reduce the supply of oxygen to the disc, causing it to break down more quickly than it normally would.
• Occupation: People in jobs that require repetitive motions like lifting, bending, and twisting are also more susceptible.
• Sedentary Lifestyle: Long durations of sitting, especially in incorrect postures, contribute to increased risk.
• Genetics: Family history may play a role in increasing the risk of developing a herniated disc.

A herniated disc occurs when the soft, gel-like substance in the middle of the disc breaks through the inner aspect of the disc and protrudes out, usually in the back wall of the disc. This bulging out can pinch the nearby spinal nerves, leading to inflammation and excruciating pain that might even radiate down your leg or arm.

Even when the disc doesn’t affect the nerves, it is infamous for causing sharp and intense pain in the lower back, affecting your ability to move, especially standing upright, and interfering with your overall quality of life. For some, the pain is so unbearable that it hampers even the simplest daily tasks, like sitting, moving, or lying down to sleep.

The silver lining? Our skilled physical therapists can teach you how to manage your debilitating pain and provide the tools to return to a pain-free life!