Re: What Happens When A Herniated Disc Heals?

It depends on what you're talking about. A slipped disc is fixable. A herniated is not and requires surgery. But even then it depends on which way the disc herniated.

A herniated disc is the same as a ruptured disc. A slipped disc is really not possible. They call it a slipped disc because that's what it looks like. But what it really is is the liquid center of the disc has shifted and bulged off to one side or the other or straight posterior. When that happens the lumbar spine looses its normal forward curve and you are in big painful trouble. It's NOT the kind of pain that can be faked.

A slipped disc is totally fixable so there is no distortion on either side of the spine.

A ruptured (herniated) disc is when the liquid center escapes the disc and leaves annular debris laying right on the spinal nerves or cord itself. The annular fibers are what surrounds the liquid to keep it in place. It's real tough stuff and very difficult to tear but when it does you're in trouble. But even so if the annular tear is not where any of the nerves exit the spinal cord you really don't feel much. You'll be a bit shorter but there's really no pain invloved. So it depends on where the rupture is. If lateral or posterior ouch, big time ouch. But if anterior not much discomfort at all.

Now, You can tell if the disc is still intact if the patient is listing off to one side or the other. Or bent straight forward. That means the liquid center is still in the disc which in turn means it can be fixed.

There's a lot of confusion with the words. Ruptured and herniated are the same thing. The liquid has escaped the disc. A slipped is still intact and fixable.

So, if you're leaning off to one side or bent too far over forward the disc is still intact and can be fixed.

If the disc is ruptured (herniated) it has to be fixed surgically. But only if the rupture is lateral or posterior thus pinching the nerve. In that case you'll gladly want surgery. It's very, very painful.

If your lumbar spine is not symetrical and you've had disc problems do the toe stretch I suggest. At least everynight in bed and try to do it 3-4 times a day.

Toe stretch: Lay on your stomach in bed. Put a pillow between your chin and your chest, your head must be straight down. Hook your toes over the end of the bed and pull up. You'll feel a slight pull on the lumbar spine. Hold for 10 seconds, let go, rest for 5 seconds and do it again for a total of 4 times. It helps to rock your butt back and forth while stretching, real easy nothing strenuous. If you don't feel enough pull on the lower back reach up with your hands and pull on the head of the mattress while pulling with your toes.

The key to keeping the low back stable is to make sure your hamstrings are loose before you go to bed. You do that by stretching the backs of your legs. Put your foot up an a chair or stoll, place your hands on top of your thigh and push slightly. Straighten your leg out. You'll feel a pull on the back of your leg. Hold for 10 seconds or so and do the other leg. Go back and forth until the tightness is gone. Keep you back flat while doing this. And don't overdo it. If you feel it pulling up into the buttocks you're stretching too far. If you feel it pulling behind you knee you're stretching too far, just the backs of your legs.

Tight hamstrings pull on the back of the pelvis thus flattening out the lunbar spine while you sleep. Not good.

Two simple little exercises, if you do them you'll stay out of the chiropractors office and it'll balance the lumbar spine out.

The musculature around the spine will be balanced as long as the structures are "normal", that includes the disc. Try those two exercises for a while. I bet your lower back balances right up.

Doc