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Herniated Disc L3-L4
A herniated disc L3-L4 is less common than in the lower lumbar levels, but is still a typical event, often existing in combination with other herniated levels at
L4/L5
and/or
L5/S1.
This middle lumbar level takes much punishment as we go about our normal lives and is also a place which can be affected by traumatic occurrences, such as
sports injuries
and
car accidents.
However, medical statistics clearly demonstrate that herniations at L3/L4 are
scapegoats
for pain for more often than they are the actual underlying source.
What is a Herniated Disc L3/L4?
The L3/L4 intervertebral level is midway down the lumbar spinal region. It is a level in a mostly neural part of the lumbar lordotic curve, making it a bit more resilient to degeneration and injury than the lower levels nearer to the sacrum. L3/L4 herniations are typical, in that they are blamed for enacting pain due to either
foraminal stenosis
and subsequent L4 nerve impingement or
spinal stenosis
of the cauda equina structure.
Herniated Disc L3/L4 Facts
L3/L4 herniated discs often exist in combination with herniations at the lower 2 levels, as well and multi-level
degenerative disc disease
(probably the source of the herniations in most instances…) This can present a frightening diagnostic conclusion which can impart an extreme
nocebo
effect. Little known to most affected patients is that this pattern is extremely common and is usually nothing to be concerned about. Remember that most
herniated discs
are not symptomatic… They are merely there and do not hurt anything. This is not to say that structurally induced pain is impossible, since it is not. It is just diagnosed FAR more often than it actually occurs…
Herniated Disc L3/L4 Advice
Degeneration and herniations at L3/L4 are 2 of the great perpetuators of medical mythology as to the source of
back pain.
The constant blaming of the poor maligned discs never seem to get old in the back pain industry, despite overwhelming evidence that most herniated,
bulging
and
ruptured discs
do not create any pain and especially not chronic and treatment-resistant symptoms I see so often in your letters and from my own personal experience. If your L3/L4 pain has not resolved despite a number of treatment attempts, I advise you to consider the obvious… The diagnosis may well be incorrect.
Herniated Disc L3-L4 to Herniated Disc Home
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