5 Bothersome Signs of a Herniated Disc

Often, your spine functions effectively, holding up your body weight and skeleton while allowing you a pain-free range of motion. However, biomechanical issues can harm your spine, causing problems with both function and pain.

One of the most common spinal issues that Dr. Beejal Y. Amin treats from his self-named practice in Hinsdale and Woodridge, Illinois, is herniated spinal disc. The small vertebral bones of your spine are spaced apart by cushioning spinal discs. If pressure causes a disc to rupture, it can spill its internal gel into your spinal space, known as herniation.

A herniated disc typically comes with uncomfortable, disruptive symptoms. Do any of these five symptoms of a herniated disc sound familiar? If so, seek diagnostic evaluation and treatment with Dr. Amin. Herniated discs respond well to treatment, so you don’t have to learn to live with these symptoms.

1. Back pain

Herniated spinal discs often cause back pain. Inner material from a ruptured herniated disc is likely to put pressure on the many nerves in your spinal canal.

Back pain affects many adults in the United States. This symptom is more likely to be an issue as you age, and wear and tear begins to cause degenerative problems in your spine.

2. Neck pain

If you have a herniated disc in your upper (cervical) spine, your pain symptoms might be more noticeable in your neck. You may struggle to turn your neck without pain. The location of your pain symptoms helps Dr. Amin determine where the affected disc in your spine is.

3. Radiating pain in your arms

Your spinal nerves connect with the nerves in the rest of your body, so spinal problems can cause radiating pain not localized near the spine. If you have a herniated disc in your neck, you might feel pain sensations that seem to radiate down your arms, making it hard to keep going with tasks involving your arms and hands.

4. Radiating pain in your legs

Similarly, if you’re affected by a herniated disc in your lower back, you may experience symptoms of radiating pain in your legs. Since the issue causing the pain isn’t in your legs but in your spine, leg stretches or massage won’t help. Spinal treatment can address the underlying cause of the herniated disc.

5. Localized numbness, tingling, or weakness

When herniated spinal discs cause nerve compression or irritation, your symptoms are likely to include some pain but can include other sensations, as well. Nerve compression can produce feelings of numbness or tingling in the affected area of your body and can also result in otherwise unexplainable weakness.

If you notice your quality of life affected by any of these common symptoms of a herniated spinal disc, contact Dr. Amin as soon as possible. Dr. Amin can confirm your diagnosis of a herniated disc and recommend treatments and therapies to address your symptoms and the underlying spinal issue.

You can schedule a consultation appointment by calling Beejal Y. Amin, MD, or requesting an appointment online today.