RSS FeedsWhat are the signs and symptoms of a slipped disc and a herniated disc?
For 2 weeks now i have had low low back bain when I sit on the floor cross-legged, and lean forward. Any therapys that I should use to alleviate the tightness and pain? It isn’t severe, only moderately annoying. Thanks so much.
If it only happens when you are cross legged, it could possibly be pain in your sacroiliac joints or the muscles surrounding that area. The sacroiliac joint is what people often refer to as their “hip joint” when they point to their back. A “slipped disc” is another way to say a bulging disc, which is less severe than a herniated disc.
Imagine a jelly doughnut, this is basically how the discs look in your back, when you squeeze too much the jelly can eventually ooze out through the doughnut. If the jelly oozes out the back of the doughnut toward the spinal cord, this is when problems occur, such as numbness and tingling down the legs, and the loss or decreased ability to move areas that are affected. A bulge is when the jelly is still inside the dougnut, but has deformed the doughnut toward the spinal cord, a herniation is when the jelly has blown out of the doughnut. Hopefully you can understand my analogy, it can be a bit confusing.
As far as therapies go, there are some stretches you could try but you should really get checked before starting them because depending on the actualy problem certain stretches could make your symptoms worse. I would recommend a chiropractor before your primary care doctor, because most primary care doctors lack experience in dealing with neuromusculoskeletal (a fancy word for nerves muscles and bones) complaints (your type of problem) whereas chiropractors are experts with the neuromusculoskeletal system. Best of luck!
January 7th, 2009
There is no such thing as a “slipped” disk. Significantly herniated discs present with pain and tingling in the leg(s) along with back pain.
You may need to watch your weight, your posture, your sleep habits and just stretch regularly, including your legs, thighs and buttocks.
References :
January 7th, 2009
If it only happens when you are cross legged, it could possibly be pain in your sacroiliac joints or the muscles surrounding that area. The sacroiliac joint is what people often refer to as their “hip joint” when they point to their back. A “slipped disc” is another way to say a bulging disc, which is less severe than a herniated disc.
Imagine a jelly doughnut, this is basically how the discs look in your back, when you squeeze too much the jelly can eventually ooze out through the doughnut. If the jelly oozes out the back of the doughnut toward the spinal cord, this is when problems occur, such as numbness and tingling down the legs, and the loss or decreased ability to move areas that are affected. A bulge is when the jelly is still inside the dougnut, but has deformed the doughnut toward the spinal cord, a herniation is when the jelly has blown out of the doughnut. Hopefully you can understand my analogy, it can be a bit confusing.
As far as therapies go, there are some stretches you could try but you should really get checked before starting them because depending on the actualy problem certain stretches could make your symptoms worse. I would recommend a chiropractor before your primary care doctor, because most primary care doctors lack experience in dealing with neuromusculoskeletal (a fancy word for nerves muscles and bones) complaints (your type of problem) whereas chiropractors are experts with the neuromusculoskeletal system. Best of luck!
References :
5th year chiropractic student, Senior Outpatient Clinic Intern and Certified Athletic Trainer