Common Causes of Disc Pain: What’s Hurting Your Back or Neck?
Several factors can contribute to disc problems and the resulting pain:
- Disc Degeneration (Wear and Tear): A natural part of ageing, where discs lose moisture and become less resilient, increasing susceptibility to injury. This is a frequent cause of lower back pain and neck pain in older adults.
- Disc Herniation / Slipped Disc: When the inner gel pushes through a tear in the outer layer, potentially pressing on nearby nerves. This is a common cause of sciatica (leg pain) and cervical radiculopathy (arm pain).
- Disc Bulge: The disc extends beyond its normal boundary, potentially compressing nerves even without a full rupture. This can also lead to back pain and nerve pain.
- Trauma & Injury: Sudden impacts from falls, car accidents, sports injuries, or improper heavy lifting can directly damage spinal discs. If you’ve had a back injury or neck injury, disc problems could be the underlying cause of persistent pain.
- Repetitive Strain Injuries: Jobs or activities involving repeated bending, twisting, or heavy lifting can put excessive stress on the discs, leading to gradual damage and pain.
- Poor Posture: Slouching or maintaining incorrect posture puts uneven pressure on the spine and discs, contributing to degeneration and pain over time. Addressing posture correction can be key to managing chronic back pain and neck pain.
- Obesity & Excess Weight: Extra weight increases the load on the lower back discs, accelerating wear and tear and increasing the risk of lower back problems.
- Genetics: A family history of spinal problems may increase your susceptibility to disc issues.
Common Symptoms
- Localised Spinal Pain
- Radiating Nerve Pain (like Sciatica)
- Muscle Weakness
- Nerve Pain/Pins and Needles
How we can help at Body Unity
Relief from Disc Pain
Dealing with disc pain, whether it’s a herniated ‘slipped’ disc or degenerative disc disease, can be incredibly challenging. The discomfort and limitations it brings, can make everyday tasks feel impossible. Our expert practitioners are here to find the root cause of your pain, and can help alleviate the symptoms associated with a variety of disc discomfort. We’re here to support you outside of treatment too, by recommending tailored rehabilitation exercises and lifestyle advice, to help facilitate healing.
Experiencing back pain or neck pain that just won’t quit? It could be related to a spinal disc issue. At Body Unity, your local osteopathy and massage clinic in Hemel Hempstead, we understand how debilitating disc pain can be. This page explains the common causes of disc pain and the symptoms of a slipped disc or other spinal disc problems, and how our expert team can help you find relief.
Understanding Your Spinal Discs: The Key to Back & Neck Health
Your spinal discs, located between the bones (vertebrae) in your spine, are vital for cushioning and flexibility. Think of them as shock absorbers with a soft, gel-like centre (nucleus pulposus) encased in a tough outer layer (annulus fibrosus). When these discs are damaged or degenerate, it can lead to significant back pain, neck pain, and other related symptoms
Osteopathy for Disc Pain
If you’re experiencing back pain, neck pain, or any of the above symptoms of a slipped disc, our experienced osteopaths in Hemel Hempstead at Body Unity can help. We offer:
- Expert Diagnosis: Thorough assessment to pinpoint the exact cause of your disc pain.
- Gentle Osteopathic Treatment: Hands-on techniques to restore spinal movement, reduce nerve compression, and alleviate pain. This may include spinal manipulation, soft tissue release, and articulation.
- Effective Pain Management: Strategies to reduce your immediate pain and improve your comfort.
- Targeted Rehabilitation & Exercise: Customised exercises to strengthen supporting muscles, improve posture, and prevent future back problems and neck problems.
- Posture Correction Advice: Guidance on maintaining proper posture to reduce stress on your spinal discs.
Here are some FAQ's regarding Disc Pain
Here are some frequently asked questions about disc pain. If you have a question not answered here, please contact Body Unity, your osteopathy and massage clinic in Hemel Hempstead, on 01442 793333 or email [email protected].
A slipped disc, also known as a herniated disc, occurs when the soft inner part of the spinal disc pushes through a tear in the tougher outer layer. This can irritate or compress nearby nerves, leading to pain.
In a disc bulge, the disc extends beyond its normal boundary but the inner gel may not fully rupture through the outer layer. A herniated disc involves a more significant rupture where the inner gel protrudes further. Both can put pressure on nerves.
No, the severity of disc pain can vary greatly, from a mild ache to intense, debilitating pain. It often depends on the extent of the disc issue and the degree of nerve compression.
Yes, prolonged sitting, especially with poor posture, can put increased pressure on the discs in your lower back, potentially contributing to disc problems and pain over time.
Common causes include disc degeneration (age-related wear and tear), disc herniation, disc bulge, trauma/injury, repetitive strain, poor posture, obesity, and genetics.
You should seek professional help if your back or neck pain is severe, doesn’t improve with home care, radiates down your arm or leg, is accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness, or if you have bowel or bladder problems.
Yes, disc pain can sometimes occur suddenly, especially after an injury or sudden awkward movement. However, it can also develop gradually over time due to degeneration or repetitive strain.
Our osteopaths use gentle manual techniques to improve spinal movement, reduce nerve compression, alleviate pain, and address the underlying biomechanical factors contributing to your disc problem.
Our osteopaths use gentle and controlled techniques. While you may experience some temporary discomfort as tight areas are addressed, the treatment should not be excessively painful. We always work within your comfort levels.
The number of sessions varies depending on the severity and chronicity of your condition, as well as how you respond to treatment. Your osteopath will discuss a treatment plan with you after your initial assessment.
Maintaining good posture, using proper lifting techniques, engaging in regular exercise to strengthen core and back muscles, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding prolonged sitting or standing can help prevent disc problems.