The Definition of Discogenic Back Pain

Discogenic back pain occurs when one of the intervertebral discs that cushion adjacent vertebrae shifts or becomes damaged. While a disc abnormality in and of itself can cause pain, it is more likely that pain will result if the disc comes into contact with a nearby spinal nerve. Depending on which level of the spine the damaged disc is located in, symptoms can include pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the back, neck, and/or extremities.

Causes of Discogenic Back Pain

Common conditions that can cause discogenic spine pain include herniated discs and bulging discs. A herniated disc occurs when a tear develops in the outer wall of a disc and the inner disc material extrudes into the spinal canal. A bulging disc, on the other hand, is still intact, but has pushed beyond its normal perimeter due to pressure from the spine’s movements.

Disc abnormalities can be caused by:

• Degenerative disc disease
• Age
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Sudden injury
• Prolonged overexertion

Treatment Options

Most cases of discogenic back pain will improve with the proper conservative treatments. Talk to your doctor about designing a treatment regimen that includes hot/cold compresses, low-impact exercise, gentle stretching, pain medication, and behavior modification. If several weeks or months of these methods prove ineffective, your doctor may suggest that you consider spine surgery. While exploring your options for surgical treatments, keep in mind that Laser Spine Institute offers minimally invasive procedures that are safe and effective alternatives to open back or neck surgery. Contact us today for more information, or for a complimentary review of your MRI or CT scan.