Having a lumbar herniated disc or 2 does not mean that pain is imminent. The facts show that most lumbar bulging discs are not symptomatic, nor are they likely to become problems in the future. Herniated discs in the lower back continue to be the most common explanation for lumbar pain, which goes against all established medical research. We have been writing about the inconsistencies of the herniated disc diagnosis for over a decade and finally more patients are realizing that everything they have been told about their conditions often amounts to complete fabrications with no scientific merit at all.
This is not to say that herniated disc can not cause pain, for they surely can. In fact, herniated discs can cause catastrophic problems in very rare cases. However, the circumstances where these types of spinal problems occur are tightly defined and do not represent the average patient profile in any way. We are always amazed at the resistance of many patients in accepting that what they understand about herniated discs is mostly based on antiquated information and medical mythology. One would think that after suffering for years, or even decades, a person would be thrilled to discover that their pain is indeed curable, rather than facing a future filled with suffering. However, this has not been our general experience. Instead, we often face illogical arguments from the patients whose very doctors have been victimizing them with lies. This is a classic example of Stockholm Syndrome if we have ever seen one.
This herniated disc resource section will provide factual data, statistics and clinical experiences that detail the actuality of intervertebral disc abnormalities from an objective and non-financially-motivated perspective. Hold on tightly, because this section will present a picture of lumbar herniated discs that you have probably never read about before.
What is a Lumbar Herniated Disc?
There are 5 intervertebral discs in the lumbar spine, named L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 and L5/S1. The last is also commonly known as the lumbosacral disc. Virtually all herniations in the lower back occur at L4/L5 or L5/S1, as these are the spinal levels that suffer the most degenerative changes that contribute towards intervertebral prolapse. Disc degeneration, often ludicrously called degenerative disc disease, is normal throughout the lumbar region and once again present in all virtually adults at L4/L5 and L5/S1.
The processes of disc desiccation and herniation are linked, since as a disc dries out, its outer wall begins to deteriorate and the nucleus tends to exert force against this annulus fibrous due to normal spinal movement until the annulus bulges or ruptures. This process is considered quite harmless, unless the disc affects a neurological tissue due to its changed state.
Herniated discs can only create symptoms through 2 possible mechanisms. The first is structural compression of the spinal nerves, either within the central canal or in the foraminal openings. The second process is chemical radiculitis, but in order for this to be a valid diagnosis, the patient must demonstrate annular tear or intervertebral rupture, migration of nucleus proteins which contact local nerve tissue, and susceptibility to irritation from these proteins, which is not universally experienced.
Herniated Disc in the Lower Spine
We find that providing focused essays on various subtopics related to bulging discs is the best way for readers to gain a full understanding on the many topics involved in disc-related lower back pain. To this end, we offer the following investigative reports on herniated discs in the lumbar spinal region. Each new topic will be added as it is made available for publication:
Lumbar chemical radiculitis occurs when an annular tear or intervertebral rupture spills irritating proteins from the inside of the intervertebral nucleus onto sensitize neurological fibers.
Lumbar bulging discs are now considered normal in diagnostic medicine. In fact, the normal state of many lumbar discs is a recurrent state of bulging.
Lumbar degenerative disc disease is a completely normal part of spinal aging. DDD is responsible for facilitating spinal osteoarthritic change, but is otherwise generally harmless. Degenerative disc disease low back pain is one of the most frequently misdiagnosed of all lumbar conditions, although it is possible to experience in very select circumstances of pathological disc deterioration. Lumbar disc desiccation is the proper and recommended diagnostic nomenclature for DDD to prevent the occurrence of the nocebo effect, which is known to be far more harmful than most disc irregularities.
Do you have a herniated disc in the lower back? Join the rest of the human race. Lumbar herniations affect more people than not. Being diagnosed should be no shock or surprise.
Do you really understand what happens with slipped lumbar discs? The name is very misleading, since intervertebral tissues are quite incapable of slipping out of place.
Lumbar disc prolapse is another diagnostic term for a herniation in the lower back. Prolapse does not really give any clue to the severity of the disc issue, which is why it is not frequently utilized as diagnostic terminology to patients.
Lumbar disc rupture describes a break in the outer disc wall, which potentially allows the migration of nucleus material from the disc structure. Lumbar annular tears might be less serious, but can still allow disc material to escape into the surrounding spinal anatomy.
Lumbar discogenic pain describes conditions where the tiny nerves which innervate the disc endplate are symptomatic instigators.
Lumbar disc pain might occur due to herniation or degeneration, but it must be known that true disc-enacted pain is rare and must follow particular mechanisms of action in order to make any medical sense.
Lumbar discitis involves infection of one or more intervertebral tissues in the lower back.
Herniated-Disc-Pain.Org is our recommended resource covering all things related to herniated discs and degenerative disc disease.
Lumbar herniated disc pain responds best of all diagnoses to our proven Cure Back Pain Forever Program. If you need help right now, the program is available around the clock from anywhere in the world.
Lumbar Herniated Disc Factsheet
Countless research studies have been performed and none demonstrate any evidence that herniated disc are inherently pathological or problematic. We know that herniated discs in the lower back can create pain when they compress nerves or possibly when chemical radiculitis occurs in association with an annular tear. However, these circumstances are rare and do not describe over 90% of intervertebral herniations demonstrated in the general population. This 90% of case profiles must be objectively deemed to be incidental to any pain that exists, since no pathological process is demonstrated. However, this does not prevent doctors from misdiagnosing the vast majority of herniations as suspected sources of pain. This is the main reason why so many patients do not enjoy satisfying outcomes from attempted treatments, including and especially, surgical therapies.
Of the remaining 10% of problematic herniations, more than 5% will resolve completely and organically without any medical care. These herniations will be painful for a short time span and then the patient will recover. Only 5% of all herniated discs are considered worthy of medical attention and most of these do not require surgical care. In fact, only between 1% and 2% of herniated discs are truly indicated for surgery. Are you surprised?
Lower Back Pain > Lumbar Herniated Disc
