Herniated disc ranks among the common causes of pain in your back and neck. If left unchecked, you may suffer chronic conditions affecting the arms and legs. Yancey Pain & Spine delivers treatment for a herniated disc in Houston and The Woodlands, Texas, through highly customized treatment plans. William Yancey, MD, uses an evidence-based approach to deliver long term pain relief through precise, effective, and safe methods.
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What is a Herniated Disc?
Vertebras in your spine are separated by a spinal disc serving as a cushion of soft gel-like center bordered by a tough outer surface. The spinal disc diligently serves as a shock absorber and offers adequate support for spine flexibility and mobility. In case of certain changes in your vertebral column, your vulnerability to a herniated disc is multiplied.
Herniated disc arises when excess pressure from beneath and above the spinal disc in your vertebrae forces the gel-like matter out through weaker portions of the exterior. Every part of your spine is highly vulnerable to a herniated disc under the right circumstances. More vulnerable parts include the cervical, lumbar, neck, spine, and lower back.
Symptoms of a Herniated Disc
Symptoms of herniated discs depend on the involved nerves and the location of the herniation. If the herniated disc doesn’t press or pinch a nerve, you may experience no pain or a dull ache. In case the herniation presses on a nerve, you may get sensations of weakness, pain, or numbness in the areas affected by the affected nerve. Other symptoms may vary based on location. For instance:
Lumbar spine. In the lumbar spine, a herniated disc may cause a pinch or irritation to your sciatic nerve. The resulting pain condition, sciatica, is responsible for numbness, tingling, radiating pain, and weakness on one or both sides of your lower extremities.
Cervical spine. Herniated discs in your cervical spine may give you a pinched nerve, cervical radiculopathy, and symptoms that could radiate to the hands, arms, and shoulders.
Treatment for Herniated Discs
Yancey Pain & Spine aims to deliver highly effective treatment for herniated discs through non-surgical and least invasive interventions. Dr. Yancey uses modern medication and treatment options for improved safety, precision, and efficiency of conventional therapy.
Your personalized treatment plan may consist of:
- Epidural steroid injections
- Physical therapy
- Medications
Should conservative measures come short in alleviating symptoms of herniated discs, Dr. Yancey shall refer you to a certified surgeon equipped to handle your case.
Other Services Offered at Yancey Pain & Spine
Dr. Yancey uses the latest equipment and treatment options in specialty areas like:
- Pinched nerve
- Joint pain
- Chronic pain
- Spinal stenosis
- Back pain
- Sciatica
- Spinal cord stimulation
Your treatment is fully customized, based on individual symptoms, needs, and preferences.
Bottom Line
Herniated discs are quite common, and may be the unfortunate cause of chronic symptoms that could affect your life’s quality. Yancey Pain & Spine uses a multidisciplinary approach to treat herniated discs. If you are battling herniated discs and other conditions highlighted above, call the practice or book an appointment online.