• By Jrsh
• In Health and Tips,
• Posted March 24, 2026

What Is a Herniated Disc? Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Explained

A common cause of pain, discomfort and reduced mobility in daily activities is due to a herniated disc, or a slipped/ruptured disc. It occurs when the fibrous disk that makes up a portion of the vertebrae is forced out. 

This will allow for the inner material of the disk to push out against the outer layer of the disk, also using nearby soft tissues and/or other tissues to support it. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options available for a herniated disk, you will be able to diagnose the condition earlier and receive appropriate treatment.

What Is A Herniated Disk?

The bones in the spine are called vertebrae and are separated by cartilage-like disks between each disk. The disks are used to absorb shock as well as make the spine more flexible and curvier.

The reason for a herniated disk can include:

• The thick and cushiony gel found within a disk pushes out of its outer casing. The gel pushes against soft tissue, ligaments and nerves in the spine.
• This creates pressure upon the nerves in the spine which can result in pain, numbness or weakness.
• Herniated disks most commonly occur in the lumbar (lower) portion of the spine, but can also occur in the cervical (upper) part of the spine.

What Is Left Side Body Pain & How Is It Related?

Left-side body pain could be caused by a herniated disc. If there is compression of a nerve along the left side of the body, this would cause left-side pain because when you have a disc that is pressing on the nerves, this will create pain along the path of the nerve.

Since there are nerves on both sides of the body, if the pressure is on the left, you can have pain down the left side. Pain May Continue from the Back to a Leg and/or Arm Along a Nerve Path.

The common symptoms that may result from a herniated disc are:

• Sharp Pain or Burning Sensation Down The Affected Nerve Path
• Tingling Sensation or “Pins and Needles” in the Affected Extremity
• Weakness Occurring On The Opposite Side of The Body From Where The Herniated Disc Is Located

With the above symptoms, you should consult with a healthcare providerconsult with a healthcare provider in the Orthopedics Department to get an evaluation to determine whether your left-side pain could be caused by a spinal problem.

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What Are the Common Causes of a Herniated Disc?

By understanding what can lead to herniation of a disk, you can either prevent it from happening or minimize your chance of developing one.
1. Age-Related Changes to the Spine
As we become older, the spinal disks are depleted of fluid, which results in them being less flexible and ultimately more likely to rupture.
2. Improper Lifting of Heavy Objects
Lifting a large item using the back instead of the legs can place undue stress on the spine and perhaps cause an injury, and can also precipitate herniation.
3. Traumatic Injury (Fall or Accident)
A traumatic fall or accident, or any circumstance that causes a sudden movement of the spine, may damage the disks.
4. Sedentary Lifestyle
If an individual has a sedentary lifestyle, they might sit for prolonged periods of time and will place stress on their spinal disks.
5. Excess Body Weight
Individuals carrying excess weight will put additional stress on their lower back and thus predispose themselves to herniation of a disk.
6. Genetic Predisposition
Individuals may (genetically) be more susceptible to having disc problems.

What Are the Symptoms of a Herniated Disc?

If you can identify the symptoms of a herniated disc early on, it may prevent the progression of the condition.
1. Back & Neck Pain
Pain in the lower back is most common because of a herniated disc.
The upper spine will also experience neck pain if there is a herniated disc.
2. Radiating Pain (Sciatica)
Radiating pain travels down either a leg or an arm.
In most cases, only one side will be affected.
3. Nerve Compression - Tingling or Numbness
Many people complain of tingling or numbness in their arms, hands, legs, or feet from nerve compression caused by the herniated disc.
4. Weakness in the Muscles
Having difficulty lifting things with your arms or having a weak grip is an example of weakness.
Also having difficulty with Leg strength.
5. Increased Pain with Activity
Increased pain in your back will occur when you bend over, cough and/or sneeze.

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How Is a Herniated Disc Diagnosed?

A physician usually makes a diagnosis of this type of condition through:

1. PPhysical examination,
2. Reviewing your medical history, and
3. Imaging tests, e.g., Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computerized Tomography (CT).

What Are the Best Treatment Options for a Herniated Disc?

In addition, some individuals have done well with non-surgical treatment for a herniated disk. The following are examples of the non-surgical options for treating a herniated disk:

1) Activity Modification and Rest

•  Avoid activities that may cause more pain
• Stay reasonably active to reduce the risk of stiffness

2) Medication

• Pain Relief (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)
• If necessary, muscle relaxants

3) Physical Therapy

• Strengthens the muscles around the spine
• Improves flexibility
• Improves posture

4) Hot and Cold Therapies

• Ice can help to reduce inflammation
• Heat therapy may relieve muscle tension

5) Lifestyle Changes

• Weight management is important
• Good posture should be maintained
• Using ergonomic furniture is important

6) Epidural steroid injections

• This reduces the inflammation around the nerve root and will give you temporary pain relief

7) Surgery (last resort)

• If you still have persistent pain after weeks, or if there is significant nerve damage,
• An example of a surgery being indicated is if there is a loss of control over your
• bowel or bladder.

How to Prevent a Herniated Disc?

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Protecting your back is simple with some basic spine care principles:

• Lifting Objects Properly (Using Knees Not Back)
• Regular Exercise (Strengthening Your Core)
• Limiting Time in a Sitting Position
• Maintaining Proper Posture
• Stopping Smoking (It Harms Your Discs)

When to Go to the Doctor

You should see your doctor if:

• Your pain lasts longer than a few weeks.
• You have severe weakness
• You have spreading numbness.
• You are losing Bladder/Bowel control
• It is important to be seen early to prevent long-term damage.

Conclusion

A herniated disc may affect how you live, but with prompt diagnosis and good treatment options, surgery is not likely to be needed for most cases. Understanding the cause of a herniated disc, being able to identify symptoms when they first appear, and making healthy lifestyle choices are critical to your overall success with a herniated disc.

At Jeevan Rekha Hospital we provide patient-centered care using state-of-the-art diagnostic testing and customized treatment plans for our patients. If you have ongoing back or nerve action symptoms, see a specialist in order to return to your normal activity level.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What can I do to relieve herniated disc pain the fastest?
Ans. You can relieve your herniated disc pain faster with rest, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and the use of heat/cold therapy; however, your overall recovery time with a herniated disc will depend on the type of treatment and the availability of physical therapy.

2. Will my herniated disc heal on its own?

Ans. Yes, in many cases a herniated disc will heal within a few weeks when appropriate conservative treatment measures are taken.

3. Is walking good for my herniated disc?

Ans. Light walking will help promote healing and improve blood flow to the healing site; however, you should not overdo it.
 

Tags

• What Is A Herniated Disk?
• What Is Left Side Body Pain & How Is It Related?
• What Are the Common Causes of a Herniated Disc?
• What Are the Symptoms of a Herniated Disc?