Key Takeaways
- Most herniated discs can be treated without surgery using targeted, minimally invasive pain management options.
- Symptoms often include back or neck pain, radiating limb pain, numbness, or weakness, and should be evaluated if they persist.
- Treatments like injections, nerve blocks, and radiofrequency ablation can relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
- A personalized treatment plan, including physical therapy, can help restore mobility and improve quality of life.
No one wants to hear the words, “you need surgery,” especially when it is about your back or neck. A herniated disc can sound scary, but the good news is that surgery is not always the first or best option. In many cases, the right pain management plan may be all you need to find relief. At Dallas Pain Institute, our back and neck pain doctors in North Dallas, TX (pain clinics in Rowlett, Sherman & Greenville TX), are here to help walk you through your options and find a treatment that works best for you.
What is a Herniated Disc?
The vertebrae or bones that make up your spine are separated by disc-like cushions. These discs serve as shock absorbers. When one of these discs is forced out due to a tear, a condition known as a herniated or slipped disc occurs. A herniated disc can aggravate the surrounding nerves in your back, leading to pain or weakness in your arms or legs.
Signs of a Herniated Disc
A herniated disc does not always feel the same for everyone, but these are some of the most common symptoms:
- Pain in the back and neck
- Pain in the arms or legs
- Tingling sensation or numbness
- Muscle weakness
If your pain has lasted more than a few days, starts radiating down an arm or leg, or comes with numbness, tingling, or weakness, you need to be checked by a doctor.
Why Herniated Discs Happen
In a lot of cases, a herniated disc develops because of age-related wear and tear. As spinal discs get older, they lose some flexibility and become more likely to tear. Sometimes the cause is obvious, and sometimes it is not. Common risk factors include:
- Natural disc degeneration with age
- Lifting heavy objects with poor form
- Repetitive pulling, pushing, or twisting
- Carrying excess weight
- Jobs that put stress on the spine
- Family history or genetics
- Trauma from a fall or blow to the back
Non-surgical Treatment Options
- Imaging and evaluation can be used to confirm where the disc problem is and whether a nerve is being compressed.
- Epidural steroid injections are used to reduce inflammation around irritated spinal nerves and help relieve radiating pain into the arms or legs.
- Nerve blocks can help target inflamed nerves and can reduce sharp, burning, or shooting pain. They can also help give a better idea of the source of your symptoms.
- Radiofrequency ablation is a longer-term treatment that disrupts pain signals and can provide longer relief.
- Spinal cord stimulation modifies your pain signals when other treatments have not worked.
- Physical therapy helps reduce the chance of getting hurt again and improves your function over time.
Our team will help you find the treatment that feels like the best fit for your pain, your symptoms, and your goals.
Herniated Disc Treatment in North Dallas (Rowlett, Sherman & Greenville, TX)
Living with disc pain can be exhausting, especially when it starts limiting how well you sleep, move, or focus during the day. The good news is that you do have options, and you do not have to figure them out alone. Our herniated disc pain doctors in North Dallas, TX can help you understand what is causing your symptoms and what treatments may be the right fit. Contact Dallas Pain Institute today to arrange a referral and schedule your consultation at the nearest Dallas-area clinic!
Rowlett, TX: 7700 Lakeview Pkwy, Suite 300A, Rowlett, TX 75088. (469) 653-0222
Sherman, TX: 1001 E Sara Swamy Dr., Suite 220, Sherman, TX 75090. (903) 892-1999
Greenville, TX:4101 Wesley St., Suite K, Greenville, TX 75402. (469) 653-0222