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Herniated Disc << Back
Description of a Herniated Disc
A
herniated disc is a disc that extrudes into the spinal canal. It is also
referred to as a bulging disc, ruptured disc or slipped disc. As a disc
degenerates, it can herniate (the inner core extrudes) back into the spinal
canal, as shown in this picture on the right. The light blue oval area is the
disc and it is bulging into the spinal canal on the lower right side of the
disc. In the lumbar area, this can cause pain to radiate all the way down the
patient's leg to the foot. In the area of the cervical spine, the pain would
radiate from the neck down the arm to the fingers.
Approximately 90% of disc herniations will occur at L4- L5 (lumbar segments 4
and 5) or L5- S1 (lumbar segment 5 and sacral segment1), which causes pain in
the L5 nerve or S1 nerve, respectively.
Recommended medical treatment is generally open back surgery, with high risks,
hospital stays and lengthy recuperation time. But now patients have the option
of Spinal Decompression and Laser Therapy Program®…a gentle, affordable, effective non-surgical solution.
Causes of a Herniated or Bulging Disc
As
you grow older, your discs become flatter -- less cushiony. If a disc becomes
too weak, the outer part (annulus) may tear. The inside part of the disc pushes
through the tear and presses on the nerves beside it. Herniated discs are most
common in people in their 30's and 40's.
The
spine is made up of a series of connected bones called "vertebrae". The disc is
a combination of strong connective tissues that hold one vertebra to the next,
and acts as a cushion between the vertebrae. The disc is made of a tough outer
layer called the "annulus fibrosus" and a gel-like center called the "nucleus
pulposus." As you get older, the center of the disc may start to lose water
content, making the disc less effective as a cushion. This may cause a
displacement of the disc's center (called a herniated disc or ruptured disc)
through a crack in the outer layer. This can occur in the neck (cervical region)
or the back (lumbar region) and the mid back (thoracic spine).
Treatment of a
Herniated Disc
Recommended medical treatment is generally open back surgery, with high risks,
hospital stays and lengthy recuperation time. But now patients have the option
of Spinal Decompression and Laser Therapy Program®…a gentle, affordable and effective non-surgical
solution.
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“After
years of doctor visits, I’ve finally found a real
solution... a neurosurgeon prescribed the Spinal Decompression and Laser Therapy Program®.
After only 20 visits, I’ve finally gotten my life
back!
” -
Sgt James M.
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