From the top of your neck to the lowest vertebra in your back, you have intervertebral discs that connect these bones and act as shock absorbers. These discs allow for mobility in your neck and back, absorb impact great and small, and create spaces for nerves that control every system in the body to exit the spine. Suffice it to say, these discs are very important structures.

Trauma great and small can lead to a disc herniation. Lifting a heavy object, a fall, or a whiplash injury can lead to spinal disc herniation. Disc herniations are also known as slipped discs, or ruptured discs. They are actually quite common. Depending on their severity and their placement, you may not even feel them. If they are not irritating or pinching a nerve or the spinal cord you may never know you have a disc herniation.

Symptoms from disc herniations can range from neck or back pain, to pain, numbness, and/or tingling down the arm or leg. Depending on the severity of herniation, you may also begin experiencing weakness in the arm or leg, or worse. Do not ignore the symptoms, or the damage to the nerves may become permanent.

If a disc herniation is causing you pain, medication to reduce inflammation, swelling, and muscle spasm can give you relief. However, it is important to deal with the mechanics of the issue. At Bay Injury, we utilize a technique of physical therapy that has proven highly effective at reducing the effects of disc herniation. Please feel free to find out more about McKenzie Method Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment (MDT). We couple this with forms of massage, chiropractic treatment, as well as core strengthening. We would highly recommend you give it a try prior to turning to injections, pain management, or surgery for relief.