Herniated Disc

Herniated Disc Treatment

You don’t need to have a traumatic injury to rupture a disc. However, repeated wear and tear from bending and twisting or other repetitive motions can also cause a disc ─ which cushions the vertebrae in your spine ─ to bulge, press against a nerve, and cause pain that travels from your back down your legs or arms.

In most cases, herniated disc pain and other related symptoms can be managed effectively with noninvasive and minimally invasive methods. At Pain Care, LLC, we have physicians with board certifications in pain management, physical medicine & rehabilitation, anesthesiology, and addiction medicine. Our specialists evaluate every patient thoroughly to get a detailed history, trace the onset of pain, determine the cause, and target treatment to address multiple issues.

We treat YOU, the patient, not a diagnostic image. Our team carefully considers each patient’s personal goals and lifestyle to make well-informed treatment recommendations ─ making every effort to delay or prevent major spine surgery, which can be risky with a long recovery.

To schedule a consultation with one of our specialists ─ Dr. Vincent Galan, Dr. Paul Chang, Dr. Charles Brownlow, Dr. Mitchell Donner, or Dr. Sushanth Boda ─ please call one of our six Georgia locations:

New patients may also schedule an appointment at the following link: https://phreesia.me/PainCare

What is a Herniated Disc?

The soft discs between your vertebrae let your spine twist and bend. They also absorb shock. If damaged, the disc’s soft center can push through the disc wall, causing a herniated disc. This bulge may press against nerves in your thoracic (upper/middle), lumbar (lower back), or cervical (neck) spine, which can cause numbness and pain traveling down your legs or arms.

What Causes a Herniated Disc?

• Normal wear and tear: Aging makes spinal discs less flexible and more prone to cracks and tears
• Traumatic impact: The force of an automobile accident or a collision on a football field
• Heavy lifting: Work that requires loading, unloading, or moving heavy objects
  
  

Herniated Disc Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on how bad the herniation is and its location.

• Herniation in the lumbar spine, or lower back, can cause pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling in your buttocks, leg, or foot.
• A herniated disc in your cervical spine can cause problems in your neck, shoulders, arms, and hands.
  
  

Herniated Disc Treatments

Most patients benefit from rest, medication, and physical therapy. Pain Care, LLC physicians work with each patient to develop a progressive treatment plan that meets their needs and fits their lifestyle.

Depending on the patient, their anatomy, and their stage of discomfort, herniated disc treatment may include the following:

• Medications to manage pain or inflammation
• Applying heat and/or ice to the site of the pain
• Physical therapy or chiropractic treatment to stretch and strengthen neck and back muscles
• Epidural steroid injections in the space around the spinal nerves to control nerve pain
• Inserting dehydrated disc material to cushion the disc and alleviate pain when bending forward
• Having a minimally invasive Decompressor surgery to remove part of the damaged disc that is impinging on a nerve
  
  

Differentiated Treatment Based on Symptoms

Different symptoms indicate whether a disc is putting pressure on a nerve or if it is causing pure back pain. We start with the most conservative treatment and progress according to outcomes.

• Physical therapy is generally a good starting point.
• If there is pain down the legs, numbness, or weakness, an Electromyography (EMG) nerve conduction test can evaluate the health and function of muscles and nerves.
• One or two epidural injections may follow an EMG to alleviate pain.
• This process may be repeated if it continues to provide relief. 
• In rare cases, if the pain doesn’t improve, we will refer a surgeon for further evaluation.
  
  

Herniated Disc Treatment in Georgia

Less than five percent of patients with back pain need surgery. At Pain Care, LLC, we are very familiar with the signs and symptoms of herniated discs and make every effort to delay or prevent the need for major spine surgery, which can be risky with a long recovery.

Our physicians ─ Dr. Vincent Galan, Dr. Paul Chang, Dr. Charles Brownlow, Dr. Mitchell Donner, or Dr. Sushanth Boda─ have the expertise and the technology to diagnose and treat herniated disc pain and discomfort. Our progressive approach works with you to restore function so you can get back to the life you want to live.

New patients may also schedule an appointment at the following link: https://phreesia.me/PainCare