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Herniated Disc in the Lower Back
* Lumbar Herniated Disc Causes Herniated Disc in the Lower Back DiagnosisA herniated disc can be confirmed using MRI, CT scan or myelogram technologies. It can not be diagnosed through a simple examination or using x-rays. Regardless of how a herniated disc is discovered, the nocebo effect of the diagnostic process will produce the perfect circumstances for a psychosomatic pain syndrome to develop. We have all heard the terrible stories of people who have endured horrific back pain from a herniated disc and have even suffered an invasive and damaging surgery, yet still have severe discomfort. These stories produce a clinical picture of a herniated disc in our collective consciousness which is neither realistic nor accurate.Herniated Disc in the Lower Back FactsThe facts about herniated discs clearly demonstrate the generally asymptomatic nature of most herniations associated with normal degenerative changes. Lumbar degenerative disc disease is an expected and universal part of the aging process, which affects all adults to one degree or another. Herniations which occur due to DDD are rarely a problem and often produce no pain at all.Herniated discs which occur due to spontaneous injury might produce pain for a short time, but are unlikely to create lasting symptomatic conditions. The usual course of a painful disc injury will last 6 to 8 weeks, regardless of whether treatment is administered or not. Herniated Disc in the Lower Back ExperienceI was diagnosed with 2 lumbar herniated discs and still remember feeling immediate fear when the words were uttered by my doctor. My mother had a horrible herniated disc experience, before my birth, and I heard all the torturous details from her, on more than one occasion. Even though I had already been suffering severe back pain for several years already, the diagnosis of 2 disc bulges was like a hammer to my head and a knife in my heart. My pain grew steadily worse after the diagnosis and continued to battle for control of my life, until I finally defeated it after 18 long years of suffering and innumerable attempts at treatment. I can only estimate the total cost of my out of pocket expense, spent treating my herniated discs, at over $30,000 to $40,000 over those years. Add to this cost the considerable time away from work and the eternity spent suffering in dire agony, and you have a price which can not be truly described…This is a bitter memory for me indeed, since all my pain and suffering was for nothing. My herniated discs were not the cause of my pain. My DDD was not the cause of my pain. The other diagnoses I had received of scoliosis and “muscle imbalances” (whatever that is…) were definitely NOT the causes of my pain. My pain was due to simple oxygen deprivation of the spinal nerves and back muscles. In the end, after all this time and expense, I finally cured by back pain for a cost of $10… That was the price of Dr. Sarno’s wonderful book, “Healing Back Pain.” After using knowledge therapy to defeat my own pain, I had to do something to help others suffering from a herniated disc in the lower back. This website, my book and my other web projects are all the realizations of that desire to help. If you need my assistance, please write to me… 12/11/08 Revised 6/8/10
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