Back pain is scary. Paying doctor bills can be even scarier. This is why many people refuse to see a doctor about back pain until it is interfering with their quality of life. And this is inevitable. Of the top five reasons Americans go to the doctor, lower back pain is number five. Two-thirds of those who finally go to the doctor do not report any lessening of the pain in a month. One of the major causes of agony is herniated disc back pain. Although this sounds scary, at least you have a diagnosis.

When To Go To The Doctor

Most herniated disc back pain is in the lower spine area (called lumbar herniated discs) than in the neck (cervical herniated discs). Consequentially, more is known about lumbar herniated disc back pain than cervical herniated disc back pain. You need to go to the doctor when the pain (usually sharp, shooting pains that make you either gasp or leave you with your jaw hanging open) interferes with your ability to live a normal life. You should be able to stand up, lie down, sit, climb stairs and bend over without these pains. If not, you must go to the doctor.

What The Heck Happened?

A hernia is another name for a rupture. A hernia in your digestive organs is the most common of hernias, but they can also happen in your spine. Herniated disc back pain can come from a trauma or from the normal degeneration of the body during aging. After thirty, you’ve probably noticed that your body is less flexible and less forgiving. It is also thought that lumbar herniated disc back pain can be an inherited condition that causes your lumbar canal to be abnormally narrow and thus pinch a nerve.

What’s A Slipped Disc?

A slipped disc is the common name for herniated disc back pain. Nothing in the spine’s bones have actually gone anywhere, despite the name. Your discs are between your vertebras and are usually cushioned by water. Since the physical description is getting this writer nauseated, let’s move on to treatment options.

Treatment Options

There are several surgical procedures for herniated disc back pain, but they are considered a last resort. Any competent doctor will want you to try non-surgical methods first, which include hot and cold pack therapies, wearing a brace, hydrotherapy or even acupuncture. You usually get painkillers and other medications, as well. If you do not receive relief from the pain or suddenly develop loss of bodily controls, it’s time for surgery.