What is the difference between a herniated disc and a slipped disc?

http://www.chiropracticnyc.com Dr. Eingorn is a NYC chiropractor at Better Health Chiropractic. Dr Eingorn treats patients that have back and neck injuries. In this video Dr. Eingorn discusses the difference between a slipped disc and a herniated disc.

here are several varieties of herniated discs that are possible in the human spine. However, most people tend to use the same term (slipped disc) to refer to the different types of spine injuries. You will hear people referring to a herniated disc as a 'slipped disc,' but these are two distinct terms. A 'slipped disc’ can be a bit misleading because it could mean a lot of things including a bulged disc, prolapsed disc or even a herniated disc. A herniated disc, on the other hand, is a definite scientific description of the real problem associated with it. An expert will even tell you that referring to a herniated disc as a slipped disc is a misnomer.

So What Exactly is a Herniated Disc?
A spinal disc is usually likened to a jelly doughnut that has a soft center and encased within a relatively tough exterior. A herniated disc occurs when this soft interior (jelly)pushes out through a crack that occurs in the disc’s tough exterior. When this 'jelly’ finds its way out, it releases some chemicals that irritate the nerves around the affected area thereby causing pain. The prolapsed disc may also cause pain if it presses the surrounding nerves. In most cases, this type of injury occurs in the back or the vertebrae of the neck.

When we, therefore, talk of a slipped disc with regard to a herniated disc, we refer to a damaged disc pressing on the sciatic nerve (longest nerve running from the back of your pelvis to the feet) causing a tingling sensation, numbness or weakness in other parts of your body. And when the sciatic nerve is affected, it causes mild to severe pain in the buttocks, legs or hip.

Causes of Disc Herniation

Disc herniation is associated with the natural wear and tear of the disc due to repeated movement, and hence, it's commonly known as disc degeneration. As we age, our spinal discs lose their water content gradually making them less flexible and vulnerable to tearing when exposed to strains and twists. Most of the people who experience this kind of disc problem may not recall the exact time or the cause of the pain, but it usually occurs when you lift heavy objects without twisting or bending at the knee.

If you follow the medication, exercises and the movements that your doctor suggests, you should be relieved of your herniated disc symptoms within a period of about four weeks.

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non-surgical lumbar decompression, spinal decompression, herniated disc, herniated disc treatment, disc herniation, bulging disc, slipped disc