My Lower Back Hurts: How do I Know if I have a Herniated Disc?

Having lower back pain is definitely not pleasant, and it can show itself in different ways at different times of the day:

• Maybe you wake up with a sore back after a poor night’s sleep
• Maybe you have pain only on one side of your body, but not on both sides
• Maybe you feel a sharp pain in one leg - or one part of one leg.
• You may experience pain radiating down the leg, or your leg may feel weak
• There may be pain or numbness on the sole of one of your feet, or on the back of your calf
• Some patients report pain similar to electric shocks

The pain may also feel worse after sitting or standing for a while, when bending backward, when walking a short distance or when laughing, coughing or sneezing.

All these feelings could be an indication of a herniated disc, but how do you know?

Lower back pain and indeed many different types of back pains are related to our spinal column, also called backbone or vertebral column. The spinal column is made up of 33 disc-shaped bones called vertebrae (26 for adults as some bones fuse together as we age), between which are the discs that are made of a jelly-like substance that act as mini-cushions for our spines. The vertebral column also has nerves running down it and in between the vertebrae as well.

Disc herniation occurs when a cushion starts bulging out from between the vertebrae and pushes itself out of alignment. It can then pinch some nerves thereby causing us to experience pain. This can happen suddenly as a result of a fall or accident, or it can occur gradually when repetitive strain is put on the spine.

As hinted above, there may be many causes for herniated discs such as accidents or injuries, or spinal wear and tear over time. These conditions may also combine, making you more susceptible to disc herniation.

Given that our spinal columns carry our body’s weight around, factors like obesity or certain twisting or lifting motions may also increase your risk for herniated discs. Your lifestyle may also provide other risk factors - such as being very sedentary, frequent driving or smoking - that may increase the potential for disc herniation.

A history of disc herniation in your family may also be an indicator for being prone to a herniated disc in the future.

Chiropractors are doctors specifically trained to detect and treat musculoskeletal conditions, so we recommend seeing your chiropractor as soon as possible once you start experiencing back pain.

With a thorough examination, your Chiropractor may recommend treatment options such as spinal decompression, and whether additional tests or treatments may be required.

Contact Dr. Lanoue without delay to schedule your appointment if you’re suffering from lower back pain and are looking for non-surgical treatment options.