Telltale Signs That You have A Bulging or Slipped Disc in Vacaville

When a bulge or tear has happened to a disc in your lower spine, there's no doubt that you will feel pain your lower back and/or leg. However, some people would dismiss it as regular lower back pain. Your Vacaville chiropractor knows that might not be the cause. To determine if a herniated or protruding disc is causing it, here are some unique signs that you need to be aware of:

Signs to watch for in Vacaville

1. Pain while sitting - Sitting may seem like a luxury for some people but if there's something wrong with your lower spinal discs, it could exert tremendous pressure and pain. Having a bulging or herniated disc can put some pressure on your disc and may cause the condition to be more pronounced. This can aggravate your lower discs, thereby causing lower back pain as you sit.

2. Radiating pain into your leg (sciatica) - The discs in your lower back would normally bulge or herniate in the back or side region, which makes it too close to your spinal nerve roots. These nerve roots will become affected by the herniated discs through one or both of the following methods:

• Chemical irritation - A herniated disc can leak out acidic chemical irritants that causes inflammation and irritation in the area around the nerve root.
• Direct compression - When the disc's bulge directly compresses a spinal nerve root as it exits the spinal canal.
• The affected nerve root will have its function altered and could cause you to feel a burning pain along with numbness, weakness, and/or tingling along the front and/or back of your leg, thigh, and/or foot. These symptoms are referred to as sciatica and it typically affects one leg at a time.

3. Pain aggravated by certain activities - Your lower back pain may worsen when you perform specific activities, such as:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Bending forward/down
• Lifting a heavy object
• Pushing or pulling a heavy object

Lumbar herniated disc can come on fast. In most cases, there's no clear reason for the pain yet it could happen so suddenly.

This is a condition that could be very painful but for some people, the symptoms don't last for too long. In 6 weeks, nearly 90% of people who experience painful lumbar disc herniation would report that they no longer feel the pain, even without the help of medical treatment.

Warning signs and when to see a doctor

If you experience any of the telltale signs mentioned above, you should visit your doctor immediately. Your doctor may recommend nonsurgical treatments like pain-relieving medications and spinal decompression to help decrease inflammation and relieve the pain.

Also, if you're having difficulties controlling your bladder and/or bowel movements, problems in starting urination, and/or numbness in your inner thighs and genital area, you should consult your doctor right away. These signs and symptoms may indicate cauda equina syndrome, which is considered as a serious medical emergency and typically happens when you have severe lower back disc herniations.

With that in mind, make sure to give Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine a visit today. You can schedule a consultation with their clinic by dialing (707) 474-5688. Ask for Dr. Alex Tam and he will be more than happy to assist you.