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What are Signs and Symptoms of a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc can cause pain, tightness, numbness, weakness, or tingling in the neck, back, arms, or legs. If the bulging or leaking disc pushes on a nearby nerve, pain or muscle weakness may result. If the bulging or leaking disc does not push on a nerve, pain or disability may not occur. Although back or neck pain can be caused by a herniated disc, other factors may be involved. Your physical therapist can test for and rule out other possible conditions.

If a herniated disc is severely pressing on a nerve, or is pressing on the spinal cord, surgery may be needed to immediately relieve that pressure. Your physical therapist can help determine whether either of these conditions is occurring, and will work closely with your physician and surgeon to determine the correct treatment.

Signs and Symptoms

The type and location of your symptoms depend on the location and direction of the herniated disc, and the amount of pressure on nearby nerves.

A herniated disc may cause no pain at all. Or, it can cause any of the following symptoms:

• Pain in the neck, back, low back, arms, or legs.
• Inability to bend or rotate the neck or back.
• Numbness or tingling in the neck, shoulders, arms, hands, hips, legs, or feet.
• Weakness in the arms or legs.
• Limping when walking.
• Increased pain when coughing, sneezing, reaching, or sitting.
• Inability to stand up straight; being “stuck” in a position, such as. stooped forward or leaning to the side.
• Difficulty getting up from a chair.
• Inability to remain in 1 position for a long period of time, such as sitting or standing, due to pain.
• Pain that is worse in the morning.

In individuals older than 50 years, the gelatin-like core of the disc (NP) can become dry and less soft, making it less likely to leak, or herniate. This deterioration, however, can lead to other conditions that cause pain, such as degenerative disc disease or degenerative joint disease. Your physical therapist will work with other health care professionals to determine your correct diagnosis.

Physical therapists are movement experts. They improve quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement. You can contact a physical therapist directly for an evaluation.  If you are struggling with neck or back pain due to a disc injury call the experts at Buffalo Back & Neck Physical Therapy (716-836-2225 / www.buffalobackandneckpt.com) to start feeling better today.