Slipped Disc Symptoms
The term slipped disc is also synonymous with other terms, for example, 'disc bulge' and 'herniated disc'.
They all refer to the same thing, which is that the inner center of the disc itself is starting to migrate outwards, placing increased pressure upon the outer fibrous layers of the disc and also any adjacent structures.
The symptoms which result from a slipped disc quite literally depend upon what structures the 'bulge' is compressing upon and potentially aggravating.
Having said that, a disc bulge on its own is not enough to cause pain.
If the inner center of the disc is bulging yet the structures affected by this are not aggravated by this increased pressure, then no pain will be perceived.
Without doubt, there will be plenty of people walking around today, 100% pain free, yet if they were to have an MRI scan of their lower back, some disc bulges would be present.
This itself depends upon the individual.
We are all born and built a little differently, and consequently some people will be lucky and they will not perceive pain quite so readily, whereas other may not be so lucky and they will.
Anyway, getting back to the title of this article, we are going to be looking at the symptoms of a slipped disc.
As I mentioned at the top, this will all depend upon what structures are being effected.
If the bulge is relatively small and only aggravating the outer fibers of the disc and adjacent structures, the chances are only localized pain will be felt.
This will therefore be felt in the lower back itself and may also radiate out to the side of the lower back.
Nevertheless it should be fairly localized.
As the disc bulge becomes more pronounced, it is probable the pain will begin to refer/spread further.
This may mean the pain is passing further to the side of the lower back or down into the buttock region.
Finally, if the bulge is a fairly large one and therefore starting to aggravate the nerve roots which leave the lower back, the sciatic nerve may become implicated, The sciatic nerve passes through the buttock area and down the back of the leg, Therefore, if this nerve is being irritated, pain may be felt anywhere along the length of this nerve.
One other thing I should cover with regards to the symptoms of a slipped disc, is the severity of the pain felt.
The main distinguishing factor here would be whether there is any significant inflammation present.
If there is, it is likely the pain will be constant and very irritable i.
e.
even the slightest of movements will set the pain off again.
If the pain is more mechanical in its nature however, the pain may not be quite so severe.
This tends to present as an 'on/off' type of pain i.
e.
you perform a certain activity or adopt a specific posture and your pain will come on or increase.
However, if you then stop that activity or remove yourself form that posture, the pain will either stop or will not take long to stop.
If it is the former and you feel you are suffering with inflammatory pain, I would suggest speaking to your GP with regards to a short course of anti-inflammatories.
When the inflammation settles, your pain will be more mechanical in its nature and therefore the appropriate advice and exercise program should soon see you free of pain.
They all refer to the same thing, which is that the inner center of the disc itself is starting to migrate outwards, placing increased pressure upon the outer fibrous layers of the disc and also any adjacent structures.
The symptoms which result from a slipped disc quite literally depend upon what structures the 'bulge' is compressing upon and potentially aggravating.
Having said that, a disc bulge on its own is not enough to cause pain.
If the inner center of the disc is bulging yet the structures affected by this are not aggravated by this increased pressure, then no pain will be perceived.
Without doubt, there will be plenty of people walking around today, 100% pain free, yet if they were to have an MRI scan of their lower back, some disc bulges would be present.
This itself depends upon the individual.
We are all born and built a little differently, and consequently some people will be lucky and they will not perceive pain quite so readily, whereas other may not be so lucky and they will.
Anyway, getting back to the title of this article, we are going to be looking at the symptoms of a slipped disc.
As I mentioned at the top, this will all depend upon what structures are being effected.
If the bulge is relatively small and only aggravating the outer fibers of the disc and adjacent structures, the chances are only localized pain will be felt.
This will therefore be felt in the lower back itself and may also radiate out to the side of the lower back.
Nevertheless it should be fairly localized.
As the disc bulge becomes more pronounced, it is probable the pain will begin to refer/spread further.
This may mean the pain is passing further to the side of the lower back or down into the buttock region.
Finally, if the bulge is a fairly large one and therefore starting to aggravate the nerve roots which leave the lower back, the sciatic nerve may become implicated, The sciatic nerve passes through the buttock area and down the back of the leg, Therefore, if this nerve is being irritated, pain may be felt anywhere along the length of this nerve.
One other thing I should cover with regards to the symptoms of a slipped disc, is the severity of the pain felt.
The main distinguishing factor here would be whether there is any significant inflammation present.
If there is, it is likely the pain will be constant and very irritable i.
e.
even the slightest of movements will set the pain off again.
If the pain is more mechanical in its nature however, the pain may not be quite so severe.
This tends to present as an 'on/off' type of pain i.
e.
you perform a certain activity or adopt a specific posture and your pain will come on or increase.
However, if you then stop that activity or remove yourself form that posture, the pain will either stop or will not take long to stop.
If it is the former and you feel you are suffering with inflammatory pain, I would suggest speaking to your GP with regards to a short course of anti-inflammatories.
When the inflammation settles, your pain will be more mechanical in its nature and therefore the appropriate advice and exercise program should soon see you free of pain.
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