WHAT IS A HERNIATED DISK and does it go away anything a person can do for it

A herniated disc is when the fluid within the spinal column "leaks" through and puts pressure on the nerves. A good way to picture a vertebrae is to compare it to a jelly donut. When the donut gets squeezed, the jelly makes its way out. When that happens, you usually will get shooting pain down the side of your leg, very tense muscles in the back and in the hips.

Curing a herniated disc depends on one variable, and that is whether or not nerve damage is occurring. If nerve damage is present, then surgery has to be done to reinforce the opening in the inter-vertebral space. If nerve damage is not present, then you go to a physical therapist and they will show you exercises and stretching techniques. In most cases, you will want to go to PT because surgery can cause either more damage or weaken the back all together. PT exercises focus on pushing that fluid away from the nerve.

For immediate relief, take Aspirin or Motrin, and ice the area that hurts the most. Don't do any exercises until the throbbing has resided a little bit. But always ice it after activity until you aren't experiencing pain anymore. And go easy on the NSAIDS - they tear up your stomach and liver mucosa. Not cool either.

I have two herniated discs and I went to PT 12 years ago. I played a college sport where I ran all the time, I lift weights and haven't had any major problems. Sometimes it gets exacerbated, but I just do my exercises and I'm as good as new.