How To Prevent And Treat A Herniated Disc

A herniated disc is a term used to describe when an individual's spinal disc nucleus breaks into a fragment and is pushed into the spinal canal out of the annulus through a rupture or tear. Spinal discs are the rubber-like cushions that sit in between an individual's vertebrae or bones of the spine. The nucleus of the spinal disc has a soft and jelly-like center, and the annulus is a more resilient exterior. A herniated disc may also be referred to as a ruptured disc or slipped disc. An individual affected by a herniated disc can experience symptoms such as pain in the arm, leg, foot, neck, shoulder, buttocks, or calf, tingling that radiates, numbness, and muscle weakness. A herniated disc can be caused by the degeneration of the discs in the spine, spinal injury, genetic factors, and excess body weight.