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Herniated Disc Specialist

Glaser Pain Relief Center Our Services Herniated Disc

Glaser Pain Relief Center

Interventional Pain Management Specialists located in San Fernando Valley, Encino, CA

There are more than three million cases of herniated discs in the United States each year. At Glaser Pain Relief Center in Encino, California, top-rated interventional pain management specialists Jeffrey Glaser, MD, and John Zheng, DO, provide safe, effective treatment options that address the causes of this painful condition. The team can also counsel you on how to prevent injuries that might lead to a herniated disc. If you’re in the San Fernando Valley or the Greater Los Angeles Area, find relief by calling the office or booking online today.

Herniated Disc Q & A

What is a herniated disc?

You have cushion-like discs between your vertebrae, or bones, which are stacked up, forming your spine. Discs act like shock absorbers. A herniated disc or slipped disc occurs when one of them is pushed out due to a tear. Some patients might also have a bulging disc, which is a degenerative condition that results in the discs protruding outward. This is usually age-related, and not necessarily the result of a tear. 

A herniated disk can irritate your surrounding nerves in your back and cause pain or weakness in your arms or legs. You typically don’t need surgery to correct a herniated disc.

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?

A herniated disk usually affects your lower back or lumbar spine. However, it can also affect your neck or cervical spine.

Common symptoms associated with a herniated disc include:

  • Back or neck pain
  • Pain in your arms or legs
  • Tingling or numbness
  • Weakened muscles

You should seek medical attention if your neck pain or back pain lasts more than a few days or if your pain travels down your arm or leg. Be aware of any tingling, numbness, or weakness.

What causes a herniated disc?

In many cases, a herniated disc is the result of natural wear and tear related to age and disc degeneration. As you age, your spinal discs lose some of their flexibility and become more susceptible to tearing, even due to a minor strain.

You can't always pinpoint the exact cause of your herniated disc. Sometimes, improper form, like using your back muscles instead of your legs when lifting heavy objects, can cause a herniated disc. It’s rare, but sometimes trauma from a fall or a blow to your back can cause a herniated disc.

Several factors can increase your risk of a herniated disc, including being overweight and having a family history of this condition, along with having jobs that require a lot of lifting, pulling, and pushing.

How do you treat a herniated disc?

The first step in treating a herniated disc is diagnosing the condition. At Glaser Pain Relief Center, your specialist evaluates you by performing a physical exam, orders necessary tests, and discusses your symptoms to make a comprehensive treatment plan for your diagnosis.

Treatment may include spinal imaging to inspect your herniated disc. In more severe cases, they may opt to perform an epidural steroid injection or spinal cord stimulation. Your physician prescribes the right course of treatment for you from a wide range of minimally invasive treatment plans and alternative therapies offered at Glaser Pain Relief Center.

Call the office or book your appointment online today to learn more about your options when treating a herniated disc.

 

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