Not experiencing any pain? You may still be living with a herniated disc!
Herniated discs are widely known as highly painful and for good reason. Many people experience significant pain that can make usual activity difficult or even impossible. While this is certainly considered the norm, believe it or not, there are some individuals who experience disc herniation without any symptoms at all.
There are a number of reasons why herniated disc symptoms may not be present in a particular individual. For one, the immune system of the body is sometimes able to identify and attack the herniation as it would a foreign material. This leads to the herniation being diminished in size and impacting the nerve root far less or not at all. The size of the herniation can also decrease when the water within is absorbed back into the body reducing the affect on nearby nerves.
There are also those that for reasons unknown simply do not feel disc herniation. Recent MRI studies have indicated that there are some people who, despite having a large herniation, do not experience pain. A wide spinal canal may be the reason for this as the wider area may allow for a larger herniation that is not necessarily accompanied by low back pain.
While the absence of the usual symptoms certainly does not mean that a herniation does not exist, pain-free herniated discs typically have minimal inflammation. This makes herniated disc treatment often easier to accomplish without the need for surgery. Fortunately, even for those individuals who are not so lucky as to experience no pain, there are many treatment options available that may negate the need for invasive procedures.
Common symptoms of a herniated disc
When a disc herniates, the outer layer of the disc ruptures resulting in the bulging of the nucleus pulposus, the gel-like center of the disc. This material can then cause the pinching or compression of nearby nerve sacs. The herniated gel contains proteins that can lead to inflammation that can then impact the nerves. The result is often sciatica within the lower back which can range from mild to severe.
The most common symptoms of herniated discs include:
- Leg and arm pain
- Numbness
- Weakness
While this list of potential symptoms is certainly not exhaustive, the above symptoms can often indicate an existing disc herniation. It is important to realize, that even if you are not experiencing any symptoms of a disc herniation currently, a thorough spinal examination can often predict if your disc(s) may be herniated, and preventive treatment my save you much pain, expense, and even disability, as asymptomatic herniations will eventually become symptomatic, if undetected and untreated. However, if you’re experiencing any symptoms that you believe may indicate a problem, do not hesitate to contact Dr. Eingorn to receive a consultation.
Non-surgical treatment options for herniated discs
Fortunately for those who are living with herniated discs, there are a number of treatment options available. Non-surgical options are the first course of action in most cases and, in many situations, surgery ultimately proves to be unnecessary.
A couple of the most effective, highly recommended non-surgical options include:
Spinal injections for herniated discs: steroid injections can be used in order to reduce inflammation in the spine and alleviate its impact on nearby nerves.
Non-surgical lumbar disc decompression: certain chiropractors and physicians including Dr. Eingorn utilize this computerized decompression technique as a means of manipulating the spine and reducing pressure on the nerves. This type of therapy is known for being highly effective at reducing nerve compression issues.
While early intervention involving surgery may be necessary in those instances where severe pain and/or disability are present, treatments such as these are often recommended first and can be very effective on their own.
Conclusion
If you believe that you may be living with a herniated disc, do not hesitate to consult with Dr. Eingorn and learn more about your options. Dr. Eingorn has a long history of providing chiropractic treatment and other therapies to help alleviate pain and other symptoms. He takes a very detailed approach to therapy and he makes sure to work closely with each patient to identify any issues and provide the best possible treatment options.
To learn more about the symptoms of disc herniation, to determine whether you’re living with this affliction, or to seek the proper treatment, give the office of Dr. Eingorn a call today to schedule your first appointment. Call 212-956-5920
Dr. Eingorn and Better Health Chiropractic PC provide treatment for herniated discs in the back, lower back, neck and spine. Patients come from these different areas of Manhattan to see Dr. Eingorn: Manhattan, NYC, Midtown NY, Battery Park City NY, Financial District NY, TriBeCa NY, Chinatown NY, Greenwich Village NY, Little Italy NY, Lower East Side NY, NoHo NY, SoHo NY, West Village NY, Alphabet City NY, Chinatown NY, East Village NY, Lower East Side NY, Two Bridges NY, Chelsea NY, Clinton NY, Gramercy Park NY, Kips Bay NY, Murray Hill NY, Peter Cooper Village NY, Stuyvesant Town NY, Sutton Place NY, Tudor City NY, Turtle Bay NY, Waterside Plaza NY, Lincoln Square NY, Manhattan Valley NY, Upper West Side NY, Lenox Hill NY, Roosevelt Island NY, Upper East Side NY, Yorkville NY, Hamilton Heights NY, Manhattanville, Morningside Heights NY, Harlem NY, Polo Grounds NY, East Harlem NY, Randall’s Island NY, Spanish Harlem NY, Wards Island NY, Inwood NY, Washington Heights NY