Intense pain in your lower back. Sharp shooting pains down the length of your leg. There’s no denying how uncomfortable a herniated disc can be–and that’s not even getting into the disruption it can cause in your day-to-day life! Fortunately, the team at Fitness Matters is here to help. Herniated disc treatment aims to reduce pain, improve mobility, and help you return to your usual activities.
A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner gel of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in the outer layer. This can put pressure on nearby nerves, causing various uncomfortable symptoms. Most herniated discs occur in either the lower back or the neck.
Physical therapy is one of the best ways to address a herniated disc. Our skilled therapists can guide you through targeted exercises and stretches, helping to relieve pain and improve function. We focus on strengthening the muscles around the spine, enhancing flexibility, and promoting healing.
Today, we want to explore some key herniated disc treatments we use at Fitness Matters. These treatments will help alleviate your symptoms, address the underlying cause of your herniated disc, and help prevent another from occurring in the future.
Keep reading to learn more!
Understanding the Causes of a Herniated Disc
To help you understand the different herniated disc treatments, we want to explore common herniated disc causes. Why? Because our physical therapists don’t just want to hide your symptoms–we want to help prevent you from suffering another herniated disc in the future.
Here are just a few of the most common causes of a herniated disc:
Age-Related Wear and Tear
- As you get older, your discs start to dry out and lose their flexibility, making them more prone to tearing.
Improper Lifting Techniques
- Lifting something too heavy for you or using improper form while lifting are two common reasons for disc herniation, especially if you have age-related disc damage or a weak core.
Traumatic Injuries
- Falls or injuries related to car accidents can sometimes lead to a herniated disc.
Finally, while it’s not a cause per se, weak core muscles can also contribute to herniated discs. Your core supports and stabilizes your spine; when it’s weak, your spin has to compensate, leading to excess strain. Even simple movements (like bending or lifting) could potentially lead to a herniated disc.
Herniated Disc Treatment Options
When you visit us for herniated disc treatment, we’ll first perform a comprehensive assessment to help us pinpoint the factors contributing to your herniated disc. We’ll then use this information to create a personalized program based on several proven options.
Manual Therapy
- Manual therapy refers to several hands-on techniques, such as soft tissue manipulation and spinal mobilization, that help reduce pain and muscle tension, improve circulation, and enhance mobility.
Additional Pain Management
- Herniated discs can be extremely painful. In addition to manual therapy, we offer several drug-free pain management options, such as heat therapy.
Core Strengthening Exercises
- Targeted core exercises are an essential aspect of herniated disc treatment. Our physical therapists will design a core strengthening program that suits your needs and abilities, ensuring you can strengthen these crucial muscles without causing additional pain.
Patient Education
- Because we want to help you prevent future herniated discs, patient education is another critical treatment technique. We’ll cover information about proper posture, safe lifting techniques, and ergonomic adjustments for a healthy spine.
In Need of Herniated Disc Treatment? We’ve Got You!
The healthier your back and spine, the less likely you are to develop a painful herniated disc. The Fitness Matters team is here to help resolve your symptoms and prevent future occurrences. Schedule an appointment at our Columbus, OH, Pickerington, OH, and Westerville, OH clinics today to get started!
