What Does it Mean to Have Compressed Discs?

Commonly referred as herniated disk, compressed disc is a condition wherein one or more disc deteriorate to such an extent that the nerves around the vertebrae are forced to bear undesirable amount of pressure. Based on the criticality of the condition, a person may experience severe back pain or permanent injury to the spine.

Causes of Compressed Disc

There are several reasons cited for the cause of compressed disc. The most common factor is the aging process. As we grow older in life, the ability and the elasticity of our disc to retain liquid gets impacted, due to which a person may fall prey to compressed disc because of some strain. Smoking is another common factor that is held responsible for the arrival of compressed disc into a person’s life. We all know that improper diet can deprive our body from essential nutrients. As a result, one can catch up with compressed disc. Other factors include severe fall, obesity and accidents.

Symptoms of Compressed Disc

In some cases, compressed disc may not display noticeable symptoms, which is why the affected individual may be immune from the problem for a long time. A test conducted on a different ailment may accidently unveil the presence of compressed disc in a person’s life. That being said, compressed disc also accompanies loads of pain amongst some individuals. As such, the symptoms may vary from individual to individual, depending upon the extent of damage borne by the person on his/her spine. While some experience mild pain, there are others who experience unbearable pain. In some cases, the pain aggravates while performing basic activities such as coughing, sitting, sneezing etc. Apart from pain, the sufferer may also experience numbness in other body parts. Pain and weakness can be felt in shoulder, leg, back and arms.

How to Prevent Compressed Disc

The fact that the condition can be associated with unbearable pain, one’s best bet would be to resort to certain precautionary measures to avoid the arrival of the ailment in their lives in the first place. While one can’t stop the aging process, one can do several things to strengthen the back muscles and also boost one’s overall health. One should watch out their diet and also train regularly so that the body can be kept immune from compressed disc to a great extent. There are numerous exercises that one can perform in the gym or within the four walls of their house to improve one’s functionality, strength and flexibility, and in the process stay immune from compressed disc to a great degree.

Treatment for Compressed Disc

The treatment for compressed disc depends upon the severity of the condition. The symptom experienced by a sufferer is a good way to gauge the severity of the problem. Surgical as well as non surgical methods are used to deal with the condition. Non surgical methods involve heat therapy, hydrotherapy, pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medications and electrical stimulation. Today, compressed disc can also be treated effectively with the aid of alternative medications such as massage therapy, acupuncture and yoga.

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  1. I was recently told I have a compressed disc & a bone spur in my neck & was looking for an explanation of what a compressed disc was which your article explained nicely. I have headaches from the neck up through my head & numbness, cramping, tingling in my hands & been dropping things. Apparently this is all being caused by my compressed disc. My doctor feels that surgery will not help but I feel there has to be something that can be done because the symptoms just keep getting worse.

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