What it feels like to have a herniated disc?
“The most common symptoms of a herniated disc are arm or leg pain, numbness or tingling and weakness.” You may feel pain in your calf, thigh and buttocks. If you have a herniated disc in the neck, you’re likely to feel pain in the arm and shoulder. When you cough or sneeze, the pain may shoot into your leg.
What happens if a herniated disc is left untreated?
If you leave a herniated disc untreated, you may experience intense, sharp pains, partial paralysis, or the inability to control bowel movements in relatively dire situations.
How do you check if you have herniated disc?
The best way to tell if you have a herniated disk is to see your doctor. They’ll likely do a physical exam to find the source of your pain. This usually is the only test you’ll need to confirm a diagnosis. Your doctor will check your back for sore or painful spots.
Will a herniated disk fix itself?
Usually a herniated disc will heal on its own over time. Be patient, and keep following your treatment plan. If your symptoms don’t get better in a few months, you may want to talk to your doctor about surgery.
Does a herniated disc hurt all the time?
While some people experience persistent, continual pain, others may have milder pain or symptoms that occur less frequently. In some people, herniated discs may cause mild, occasional pain, punctuated by bursts of more severe flare-ups.
Is a herniated disc serious?
A herniated disc is a common spinal disorder, and it typically responds well to conservative treatment like gentle exercise or over-the-counter pain medication. But some ruptured disc symptoms warrant a trip to your doctor to prevent serious—and potentially permanent—nerve complications.
What causes a herniated disc to flare up?
In addition to natural wear and tear, other factors that can contribute to a bulging disc include repetitive movements, strenuous lifting, twisting of the body, bone spurs pushing against the disc, and many other degenerative conditions.