Top 5 Signs You May Have Slipped Discs

Slipped discs, also known as herniated discs, are a common cause of debilitating back pain. The good news is chiropractic care may be able to help you get the relief you are looking for. Here, we’ll explore the top 5 signs that may indicate you have slipped discs pressing on your spinal nerves. For more information, contact us at Regenerative Health and Chiropractic, LTD in Granite City, IL.

1. Lower Back Pain

One of the classic symptoms of slipped discs is lower back pain. Herniated discs put pressure on the spinal nerves exiting the spine, leading to inflammation, pain signals, and muscle spasms. The pain may feel sharp and stabbing or involve an achy dull ache. Certain movements like bending, lifting, twisting, or sitting for too long can make it worse.

2. Sciatica

Sciatica refers to irritation of the large sciatic nerve running from the lower back and down the legs. If slipped discs are pressing on the lumbar nerve roots that make up the sciatic nerve, you may experience radiating leg pain, numbness, and tingling down the leg and into the feet. This nerve compression can be severely painful.

3. Muscle Spasms in the Back and Legs

Painful muscle spasms and cramping in the lower back and leg muscles may occur with slipped discs. When spinal nerves are compressed or irritated, it causes the muscles they innervate to tighten and spasm as a protective reaction. These debilitating spasms come and go.

4. Limited Range of Motion

Herniated discs impinging on the lumbar spine limit mobility and flexibility. Bending forward to touch your toes, arching backward, twisting your back, or turning your head may become painful.

5. Leg Weakness

Nerve compression from slipped discs can cause weakness, numbness, and reduced muscle function in the leg and foot on the affected side. This makes it challenging to stand, balance, or walk normally. One leg might also feel much weaker than the other.

Get Chiropractic Care and Disc Treatment from a Chiropractor Near You

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, see a chiropractor at Regenerative Health and Chiropractic, LTD in Granite City, IL, for an exam. We seek to provide customized relief through gentle adjustments combined with complementary modalities to aid the healing process. Our goal is to help you avoid risky surgery and recover your quality of life. Call us at (618) 931-2050 for chiropractic care and disc treatment from a chiropractor near you.