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Herniated Disc Facts
Real Herniated Disc FactsHerniated discs typically occur for one of three possible reasons:* Injury: Some form of trauma exerts force on a particular area of the spine, causing a disc to bulge or rupture. These herniations might be painful for a short time, but are unlikely to cause long term symptoms. Most traumatic disc injuries resolve within 6 to 8 weeks, even without ANY treatment. * Degeneration: Normal spinal aging processes cause discs to dry out and shrink. This increases the chances for herniations. This completely expected process is sometimes given the misleading and frightening name “degenerative disc disease”. Most degenerative herniated discs go completely unnoticed, since they do not cause any pain or related neurological symptoms. * Idiopathic reasons: Some patients develop a disc herniation for no particular reason at all. Genetic, congenital and developmental factors might increase the likelihood of an idiopathic disc condition. Herniated Disc Facts and Myths* Herniated Discs are inherently painful… MYTH.* Most bulging discs are not symptomatic… FACT. * Surgery actually offers poor curative results… FACT. * Herniated Discs worsen with time… MYTH. * Most herniated discs resolve on their own… FACT. * Herniated discs can be diagnosed with an x-ray ...MYTH. * The diagnosis of a herniated disc can worsen or prolong the pain…FACT. * Herniated discs are always due to injury… MYTH. * Herniated discs can happen for no reason at all… FACT. * Medical treatment is necessary for most herniated discs… MYTH. * Many disc pain conditions are misdiagnosed …FACT. Understanding Herniated Disc FactsOvercoming the initial shock of the diagnostic nocebo effect is crucial to beat disc pain. Many diagnosed disc pain conditions are simply caused by ischemia and have nothing at all to do with the poor maligned disc. In these cases, the reason for the symptoms is psychosomatic, not structural. In many other cases, there is a painful disc injury which would normally heal on its own, but the diagnostic nocebo effect creates fear, inciting the psychological perpetuation of symptoms long term. Some patients actually have herniated discs which are creating a physical anatomical problem which might need to be treated.It is vital to know that all these conditions present the exact same clinical profile to a doctor… Advice on Herniated Disc FactsThe bottom line on herniated discs comes down to finding a treatment which will work well, without useless risk or significant expense. Most conservative symptomatic treatment goes on and on, but does nothing at all to actually cure the condition. Surgery is a nightmare and disc procedures often demonstrate horrific curative results. This is why I narrow my recommendations down to 2 usual options for the majority of patients. Knowledge therapy is free (or very low cost) and can resolve a host of back pain syndromes, including disc related pain. This is the same treatment I used to beat my own torturous pain after 18 years of suffering. The best part is that you can find many sources of knowledge therapy for free at your local library… Can’t beat that deal!For patients who cannot find relief from this all natural alternative method, I recommend spinal decompression. The therapy is not cheap, but at least offers excellent results in a short time span and with limited cost. In the end, it is your choice to make. Remember, doctors and therapists are BUSINESS PEOPLE, as well. Some of their recommendations are certainly based on the financial goals of their practice and are not the best option for permanently ENDING your pain. After all, which would you prefer??? Yeah, that’s what I thought… Easy choice to make, right?... Please take the time to share your own disc pain story on our HERNIATED DISC FORUM Please subscribe to our FREE E-Zine, The Herniated Disc Newsletter. 6/11/08 Revised 9/30/08
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