Why herniated disc flare up

Many people notice a change in symptoms during therapy, with symptoms sometimes temporarily worsening before they finally get better. Herniated discs often resolve with nonsurgical treatments like:. To learn how Dr. Spinal fusion is a safe, effective treatment for many types of back pain, but some patients worry it might have an impact on their mobility.

Disc problems can cause plenty of pain — in your spine and your arms and legs, too. Without the right treatment, a damaged disc can cause permanent nerve damage.

This is the key take-home message and played a huge role in how we were able to help Amanda get on the road to recovery. If you have had a scan e. Is the damage on my MRI because my back is the victim or the culprit? The results of this recent study suggest that people inherently think their back is a victim, which I fully support and endorse. Take home message: The majority of people felt the quality of the movements they were performing rather than the movements themselves were responsible for their pain flare-ups.

That is what we call a gestalt in thinking and may just make the difference to get you back on the road to recovery…. Feel free to comment below to share your experiences or thoughts. Manuela L Ferreira, Ph. Joanna Makovey, Ph.

Jenny Setchell, PhD. Book Online. Gordon McMorland Dr. Penn Musculoskeletal and Rheumatology Blog. You've probably heard the terms bulging disc and herniated disc before. And, chances are, you know they both have to do with something in your spine. You probably know both can be painful, too — but are they the same thing?

In a word: Nope. While they both affect the discs in your spine, bulging discs and herniated discs are not two terms for the same condition, explains Harvey E. Smith, MD , Penn Medicine physician and orthopaedic surgeon. Smith: Your spine is made up of bones called vertebrae and rubbery discs stacked on top of one another, forming the spinal canal.

The bundle of nerves called the spinal cord ru n down the length of the spinal canal. The discs in your spine function like shock absorbers between the vertebrae. These discs are made of two components: a softer center called nucleus pulposus surrounded by a tough elastic-like band called annulus fibrosus.

Read more about Low-Impact Aerobic Exercise. If your pain is more severe, you may want to try a water-based activity, such as hydrotherapy. Water-based activities are often recommended because the buoyancy of water counteracts gravity and decreases the load bearing placed on your spinal discs.

Your health care provider may suggest a dedicated water physical therapy program or swimming. See Water Therapy Exercises. Pain from a lumbar herniated disc can worsen during the night. You may find comfort sleeping in a position that relieves pressure from the spine. A couple good options include:. Your preferred sleeping position and pillow placements will likely be determined by the location of your herniated disc.

Try a few different pillow and positions to see what works best for you. The McKenzie Method is one type of physical therapy that involves a specific approach to exercise. For lumbar herniated disc pain, the goal is to shift pain away from your leg sciatica and centralize it more in your lower back.