The wear and tear in the spine can cause damage in soft muscle tissue which can lead to excess pressure on bones and disc. This causes the disc to move from its alignment and cause disc herniation (commonly called a slipped disc) It causes pain and difficulty handling day-to-day activities. In order to get the right treatment in a timely manner, these are the symptoms to watch out for:

• Sudden and shooting pain: You may also experience that the pain in the upper back radiates to the arms and the pain in the lower back radiates to the pelvis and legs.
• The pain lasts for hours to several weeks at a stretch
• You cannot sit or stand for a long period of time. In fact, sitting or standing for a long time only increases the pain. When you change your body position, you notice that the pain reduces.
• Frequent and painful muscle spasms.

Get immediate medical care if:

• You experience paralysis or lose sensation in your pelvis and legs: This is the Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) and needs immediate attention. You experience numbness and lose bowel or bladder control.
• Radiating pain transfers to your arms or legs: This is caused by ‘Sciatica’ and the pain is caused by a slipped disc pressing against the nerve endings leading to your limbs.
• Loss of balance
• Weakness in the hands and feet
  

   

  Slipped Disc Causes

   

  The most common cause of slipped disc is aging. Over time, the hard encasement of the vertebrae becomes brittle, and the gel inside slips through the cracks. However, there are other lifestyle-related causes like:

  • Strain and Occupational Stress: People in more physically demanding jobs are prone to a slipped disc.
  • Obesity and genetic factors: The excess weight in the body puts prolonged pressure on the back-bone, leading to a slipped disc.
  • Accidents and Injuries: Unexpected physical damage from accidents can crack the vertebrae.
  • Gender: Studies have shown that men are more prone to slipped discs than women.

  Most slipped-disc cases can be treated non-surgically, with the aid of physiotherapy. Please seek treatment if symptoms persist over time.