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• Back Disc Pain

Back Disc Pain

Disc pain in the back can be a debilitating condition. Not only can damage to a spinal disc cause localized pain in the back, but this pain also can travel to other areas of the body such as the pelvis, legs, feet, shoulders, and arms. Individuals with painful back disc problems may find that they can’t work, enjoy recreational activities, or even sleep comfortably. What causes this pain, and more importantly, can anything be done about it?

Back disc pain occurs when intervertebral discs, which are the cartilaginous pads that help hold vertebrae together, are injured. Pain can occur suddenly if a disc is damaged when you’re exercising, or it can come on slowly due to years of overuse or poor posture. Time takes its toll on discs, as well; as we get older, discs lose their spongy nature and begin to degrade.

Issues that can happen to a neck disc or back disc to cause pain include:

• Thinning disc pain – age-related degeneration can cause discs to flatten, which decreases the space between vertebrae. This compression of space can put painful stress on nerve roots in the spinal column.
• Bulging disc pain – years of heavy lifting or poor posture can cause discs to bulge or slip out of their normal position in the spinal column. If the disc presses on a nerve root or the spinal cord, pain and other symptoms will be the result.
• Herniated disc pain – intervertebral discs have a tough outer wall that’s many layers thick. Cartilage and fibers that make up the disc wall can deteriorate over time, eventually allowing the disc to break open and extrude its soft, jelly-like center. The escaped disc material can impinge on nerve roots or the spinal cord, or it can clog openings in the spine that nerves pass through, resulting in pain.

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More often than not, a disc can heal on its own, given enough time and treatment. Many patients successfully treat their pain with a conservative rehabilitation plan that can include physical therapy, steroid injections, rest, hot and cold compresses, and pain medication.

A small percentage of patients opt for surgical intervention to treat disc problems that persist for months or years. Disc pain treatment in the form of surgery is an extremely important decision, as you must take certain factors into consideration, such as hospital stays, recovery time, and risk of infection. When mulling over the decision of whether to have surgery, remember that Laser Spine Institute (LSI) offers alternatives to disc surgeries. Our state-of-the-art, endoscopic procedures are minimally invasive and are performed on an outpatient basis, meaning that recovery time is reduced and you can be on your way to getting your life back as soon as possible. Contact us today for a free review of your MRI or CT scan.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.