Prolapsed Disc

A common condition that develops in the back is a prolapsed disc. Not the most serious of back problems but it can be very debilitating nonetheless.

If a prolapsed disc is further irritated it can progress to a complete rupture which is a much more serious problem to deal with.

A prolapsed disc occurs when the uneven pressure builds up around a disc, to the point where the fluid contained within the disc is forced to one side causing a ballooning effect outside the lines of the vertebrae above and below it that encroaches on a nerve. When this happens the person can feel nerve pain running down either or both legs or various other symptoms such as pain in the groin or testicles, weakness in the legs, bladder or bowel and any number of other symptoms that can arise for the spinal column being pressured at a particular level.

The normal prolapsed disc treatment involves rest, drugs and some stretches but this is normally a very ineffective way of getting relief from a prolapsed disc. When relief has not been forthcoming after a period of time surgery is often recommended to either trim or remove the disc and in some case perform a laminectomy to fuse the vertebrae above and below the disc to stabilize the spine at that level.

Unfortunately this sort of approach is largely ineffective as a long term solution for a  prolapsed disc pain because it is only treating the symptom of a more sinister and less obvious problem.

People who get a prolapsed disc, usually confirmed through a scan or x-ray of the spine, are advised to rest and not continue any physical activity that might contribute to it becoming worse. Normally this is not a problem because the level of discomfort is such that a person has trouble doing anything too physical.

Most prolapsed discs are set up through the body becoming out of balance whereby the leg length is not even, causing the pelvis to either tilt or rotate as a result. Getting relief for a prolapsed disc is never properly achieved until the muscle imbalances are corrected and the mechanical problems caused by having a pelvis out of alignment are properly addressed.

If a prolapsed disc treatment includes this full body approach to deal with the mechanical problems and muscle imbalances, pressure on the disc can be removed and it can recover to a healthy condition again without the need for surgical intervention.

A good way to start treatment for a prolapsed disc is to release pressure from the spine, discs and nerves by unlocking the erector spinae muscles. You can do this by using a deep compression technique explained in a free video obtained by providing your name and email address in the sign up box at the top of this page.