Bulging or Herniated Disc Treatment in Colorado Springs
How we treat it, before and after.
A herniated disc, also called herniated nucleus pulposus, happens when the soft, jelly-like center of a spinal disc pushes through a weakened or torn part of the outer layer. This puts pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, resulting in severe neck pain, back pain, and irritation.
Definition of a Herniated Disc?
To understand what a herniated disc really is, it helps to first know how your spine works.
Your spine is made up of 24 bones stacked into a column. Between each of those bones sits a soft, cushion-like disc that acts as a shock absorber and gives your back the flexibility to bend, twist, and move freely — whether you’re working, lifting, or enjoying the trails here in Colorado Springs.
These discs are normally sealed within a tough outer casing. But wear and tear over the years can weaken that casing and make it more likely to tear.When that happens, the soft, jelly-like center can push outward or bulge through the damaged area — creating what we call a herniated disc (also known as a bulging disc or slipped disc).
That bulging material puts pressure on nearby nerves or your spinal cord. Depending on where the herniated disc is located, it can affect your thighs and legs (if it’s in your lower back) or your shoulders and arms (if it’s higher up in your neck).
The result? Serious neck pain, back pain, shooting pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the areas where those nerves are being squeezed.
Do I have A Herniated Disc?
If you’re dealing with pain, numbness, or weakness in your thighs, legs, shoulders, or arms, a herniated disc could easily be the culprit.
The frustrating part about herniated discs is that they don’t hit everyone the same way — symptoms can feel totally different from one person to the next. But here’s the important thing: if you skip a proper exam and the right care, this problem can snowball into something way more serious over time.
On top of back pain or neck pain, a herniated disc (also called HNP) often triggers shooting pain or numbness running down the leg — the kind most people know as sciatica.