This will help keep your back mobile and speed up your recovery.Īny exercise you do should be gentle and not put a strain on your back. Initially, moving may be difficult but after resting for a few days you should start to move around. If you have a slipped disc, it is very important to keep active. In many cases, a slipped disc will eventually shrink back away from the nerve, and the pain will ease as the disc stops pressing on the affected nerve. Surgery to release the compressed nerve and remove part of the disc may be considered in severe cases, or if the pain continues for longer than six weeks. Treatment usually involves a combination of physical therapy, such as massage and exercise, and medication to relieve the pain. It can take about four to six weeks to recover from a slipped disc. Read more about how a slipped disc is diagnosed. They may also carry out a physical examination to test: Your doctor will usually be able to diagnose a slipped disc from your symptoms and medical history. Read more about what causes a slipped disc Diagnosing a slipped disc As you get older, your spinal discs start to lose their water content, making them less flexible and more likely to rupture. It is not always clear what causes a disc to break down, although age is a common factor in many cases. This means that a slipped disc can cause pain both in the area of the protruding disc and in the area of the body that is controlled by the nerve that the disc is pressing on. The damaged disc can put pressure on the whole spinal cord or on a single nerve root.

What causes a slipped disc?Ī slipped disc occurs when the outer case of the disc ruptures (splits), resulting in the gel inside bulging and protruding out of the disc. It contains nerve cells and bundles of nerve fibres that connect all parts of the body to the brain. The spinal cord is highly sensitive and passes through the middle of the vertebral column. The discs help to cushion the vertebrae when you move around. They have a tough, fibrous case that contains a softer, gel-like substance. In between each vertebra there are protective, circular pads of cartilage (connective tissue) called discs.

The spine consists of 24 individual bones called vertebrae which are stacked on top of each other. Read more about the symptoms of a slipped disc The spine a tingling sensation in one or both legs.If pressure is placed on the sciatic nerve it can cause: It is the longest nerve in the body and runs from the back of the pelvis, through the buttocks, down both legs to the feet. The sciatic nerve is often affected in cases of slipped disc. This can cause back pain as well as pain in other areas of the body. A slipped disc, also known as a prolapsed or herniated disc, is where one of the discs in the spine ruptures and the gel inside leaks out.

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