By: Arthur Cooper
Submitted: 2011-04-25 20:30:52 | Word Count: 664
A herniated disc occurs when the discs in the spine that are cushions separating each set of bones in the back bulges out. The discs in the spine are made up of Annulus (that are the strong outer covering of the disc) and the Nucleus (which is the discs soft center). What happens with a herniated disc is that the outer layer tears causing the Nucleus to shift out which creates a bulge in the disc that often disrupts the disc nerves. There are several cases, however, where those that suffer from herniated disc report no symptoms at all. The pain is usually directly associated with the impact the herniated disc has on the nerve.
Though the symptoms experienced by those suffering from herniated disc may vary or be non-existent, those that are suffering from herniated disc usually complain of one or more of the symptoms listed below:
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• Weakness: Herniated disc have been known to cause a weakness of the muscles that are near the nerves that are affected by the disc. Fatigue of the muscles can make it difficult to perform normal daily activities and may have direct affects on balance and upper body stability. This weakness has been known to lead to an impaired ability to lift and/or hold things and it may cause affected parties to stumble.
• Numbness or tingling: This symptom is usually described by those affected as a prickling, numbing, pinching, or tingling feeling in the back, leg, neck, hip, foot or whichever area of the body that is affected by any pinched nerves.
• Arm or leg pain: It is common that for those with herniated disc in the lower back to feel pain most intensely in the leg, thigh, knee, buttocks, and in some cases, parts of the foot. For those that have herniated disc in the neck, pain has been known to resonate in the arms and shoulders. The arm and leg pain has been known to have shooting affects to other aspects of the body when affected parties sneeze, cough or move into certain positions.
Exercises for those with herniated disc may be helpful for relieving the tension and pain associated with the condition.
• Stretching is fundamental in that it allows the back to elongate, reducing the stress that may be caused on the spine.
• Another exercise thats great for treating a herniated disc is walking in place for about 4 minutes with your head straight and your arms at your side while standing in the center of a 3-4 foot trampoline. Consider keeping the trampoline near a surface that you can hold on to so that you avoid falling.
• Try sitting on a large therapy ball and bounce up and down for 4 minutes daily. This exercise allows oxygen to flow into disc while pumping every disc in the spine.
• Avoid exercises with a lot of jolting like jogging and running as these forms of exercise may aggravate your condition.
For more information of exercises for herniated disc visit www.losethebackpain.com.
