Jason Chiu, MD
Pain Management Specialist & Anesthesiologist located in Clifton, NJ & Tenafly, NJ
Disc Herniation Treatment in New Jersey
Back pain can stop you in your tracks; it’s one of the most common reasons people miss work or skip out on things they enjoy. One of the usual suspects? A herniated disc. At the Painless Center, with locations in Clifton and Tenafly, we help people to get real relief. Here, in New Jersey, we offer in-office pain management solutions to address disc herniation, courtesy of Dr. Jason Chiu and his experienced team.
What Is Disc Herniation?
Our spine is made up of 26 vertebrae separated by cushioning disks that act as shock absorbers, allowing you to bend and move. But over time (or after lifting something heavy in the wrong way), one of the disks can crack or tear. When that happens, the inner material of he disc can bulge or leak out, creating a herniated disc.
When a disc herniation occurs, it becomes annoying to the patient, as the protrusion may press on nearby nerves, sending pain signals, tingling, numbness, and weakness.
What Could Cause Disc Herniation?
There are different reasons why disc herniation occurs. In some cases, the exact cause isn´t clear since symptoms may appear gradually or suddenly. These are the ones that we notice the most in our practice:
- Natural Aging and Disc Degeneration
- Car Accidents or Sudden Falls
- Strain in Vertebrae or Poor Posture
- Bad Technique for Lifting Weight.
- Twisting Movements
What are the Symptoms of Disc Herniation?
What does a herniated disc feel like? Well, it depends on where the disc is. Most herniated disks are found in the lower back, but they can also occur in the neck. The symptoms you experience will depend on the location of the disk and whether it’s pressing on a nerve.
In both situations, people with herniated disks often report feelings of numbness or tingling in the areas impacted by the affected nerves, along with pain and some weakness.
Diagnosis for Disc Herniation in New Jersey
The diagnosis of disc herniation begins with a physical examination. We asses your reflexes, muscle strength, posture and nerve function. A standard test used in practice is the straight leg raise, a simple method for detecting pain associated with a herniated disc. We may also take a look at your medical history.
If needed, we may also order imaging or nerve tests, including:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
- X-rays.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan.
- Myelogram.
- Electromyogram (EMG).
- Nerve conduction study.
Disc Herniation Treatment in Clifton and Tenafly, New Jersey
If you suspect you might have a disc herniation, there’s no need to worry! Most cases of disc herniation will not require surgery.
At the Painless Center, our expert team of specialists, led by Dr. Chiu, combines advanced scientific knowledge with personalized care to address chronic pain, accelerate injury recovery, and improve your quality of life without invasive surgery.
Don’t let discomfort limit your potential any longer—schedule your personalized consultation today by calling our offices in Clifton and Tenafly, New Jersey.