What Is Slipped Disc?
It refers to a condition whereby portions of an abnormal, injured, or degenerated disc have protruded against adjacent nerve tissues. This condition is also known as herniated disc, ruptured disc, or prolapsed disc. The most frequently affected area is in the low back, but any disc can rupture, including those in the neck.
What Are Causes and Risk Factors of a Slipped Disc?
Risk factors that lead to a slipped disc include aging with associated degeneration and loss of elasticity of the discs and supporting structures; injury from improper lifting, especially if accompanied by twisting or turning; and excessive strain forces associated with physical activities.
Overweight individuals are also at increased risk for a slipped disc because their discs must support the additional weight. Weak muscles and a sedentary lifestyle may also contribute to the development of a slipped disc.
What are the symptoms of a slipped disc?
A slipped disc can produce varying degrees of pain in the back or neck along with numbness or weakness in the corresponding organs, arms, or legs as follows:
- For slipped discs in the neck: Neck symptoms and other associated symptoms include numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in the shoulder, neck, arm, or hand. Symptoms of a herniated disc in the neck often increase or decrease with neck motion.
- For slipped discs in the lower back, back symptoms include
- Pain down the back of each leg from the buttocks to the knee or beyond (this is called sciatica, as it affects the sciatic nerve)
- Numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in the buttocks, back, legs, or feet or all of these as in sciatica
- Numbness and tingling around the anus or genitals
- Pain with movement, straining, coughing, or doing leg raises
- Difficulty controlling bowel movements or bladder function
How are slipped discs diagnosed?
Your doctor will first perform a physical exam. They will be looking for the source of your pain and discomfort. This will involve checking your nerve functions and muscle strength, and whether you feel pain when moving or touching the affected area. Your doctor also will ask you about your medical history and your symptoms. They will be interested in when you first felt symptoms and what activities cause your pain to worsen.
Imaging tests can help your doctor view the bones and muscles of your spine and identify any damaged areas. Examples of imaging scans include:
- X-rays
- CT scans
- MRI scans
- Discograms
HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT-
Homeopathic medicines provide symptomatic relief in Slipped disc. The medicines are selected basis the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using Homoeopathic holistic approach.
Following remedies are highly effective in the treatment of Slipped disc:
- Rhus Toxicodendron
- Pain in lower back which gets worse by sitting, lying down or any rest position.
- Stiffness in the spine which gets worse after a period of rest and better by walking.
- Bryonia
- Lower backaches which gets better by taking rest.
- Worsening of pain in back from a slight motion or walking.
- Stiffness and rigidity also accompany pain in back.
- Patient may have an increased thirst for large quantities of water.
- Colocynth
- Colocynth is mainly prescribed for left-side Sciatica cases.
- Severe pain in the lower back extending down the left lower limb.
- Pain mostly gets better by pressure or heat application.
- Magnesium Phosphoricum
- Sciatica of the right side.
- Sciatica pains can be of varying nature like stitching, shooting or cutting.
- Relief from Sciatica pain by applying pressure or warmth.
- Gnaphalium
- Sciatica pains accompanied by numbness.
- Degenerative disc disease presenting itself with Sciatic nerve impingement, leading to pain and numbness.