Slipped Disk

Some people suffer a slipped disc, but without any obvious symptoms.

In this article:

What is a slipped disk?

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

How Chemist Online can help

Advice & Support

What is a slipped disk?
A slipped disk is a common back complaint. Also known as a prolapsed or herniated disc, a slipped disc most commonly affects people who are middle-aged. It usually affects men more than women.

With a slipped disc: the circular discs in your back work as sort of ‘shock absorbers’ for your spine/vertebrae. These discs are covered with a soft, gel-like tissue or a ‘coat’. When a disc ‘slips’ due to variety of causes (please see Causes section below), the gel-like tissue ruptures or begins to protrude from in-between the vertebrae. When this protruding tissue puts pressure on certain nerves in the surrounding area (particularly the sciatic nerve), or on the spine itself, this can be excruciatingly painful.

Symptoms
Symptoms of a slipped disc include:

Stiffness in the affected area

Restricted mobility

Severe pain in the affected area (as we have seen, this is most commonly due to the slipped disc pressing down on the sciatic nerve)

Muscular and joint aches and pain

Associated symptoms of slipped disc include:

Problems with bladder and bowel function

A tingling sensation (usually in the sciatica or arm)

Where someone suffers a slipped disc but without any obvious symptoms this is because there is no pressure on a nerve or the spinal cord from the slipped disc.

Causes
Causes of slipped disc include:

Lifting objects in the wrong way and putting an unnatural strain on your back, and lifting or carrying your children

Obesity

Bending awkwardly or suddenly

Exercising (i.e. lifting weights as part of a shoulder press exercise in a gym) without using the correct technique

Sitting for long periods (particularly if your job involves this – a driving job, or working a long shift at a supermarket checkout, for example). These jobs can put a continuous pressure on your spine. Any sudden movement, such as twisting or reaching up, can result in a disc slipping in your back.

Diagnosis
If you are suffering from the aforementioned symptoms, make an appointment to see your GP. Your medical history will be taken, and you will be asked some questions about your symptoms.

A confirmed diagnosis of a slipped disc is usually confirmed after a physical examination.

If a confirmed diagnosis of slipped disc is made, an appropriate course of treatment will be recommended to you.

Treatment
Treatments for slipped disc include:

‘Over-the-counter’ or prescribed painkillers (and sometimes painkilling injections from your GP)

Physiotherapy – a treatment which focuses upon promoting better human function and movement after injury or illness of some kind

Osteopathy – an alternative treatment which focuses upon the restoration of muscle and skeletal mobility through manipulation of bones and joints in the back

Traction – stretching of the spine through pulling, in order to try to restore slipped discs back to their natural state/position

Spinal surgery – only in severe cases of slipped disc, and where all other treatment options have proved unsuccessful

How Chemist Online can help
Through this website we have a range of treatments available to buy which can help relieve the symptoms of back pain.

We can also offer you a selection of sleeping aids.



www.chemistonline.co.uk


Advice & Support
BackCare
Tel: 0845 130 2704
Website: www.backcare.org.uk

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Website: www.csp.org.uk


This information and advice is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or chemist. Chemist Online is also not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based upon the content of the Chemist Online website. Chemist Online is also not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites.






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Keywords: Medicines, Health, Beauty

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