Understanding the Process Your Doctor Uses to Arrive at a Herniated Disc Diagnosis

We have all diagnosed ourselves, or at least attempted to, in the comfort of our homes. We often seek to find answers and explanations immediately, but this is not the best course of action, especially if you're experiencing severe back pain that could indicate a herniated disc or other condition that requires medical treatment. The only way to receive a correct herniated disc diagnosis is by visiting your doctor. When you visit your doctor, explain the symptoms you have been experiencing without leaving anything out. Your doctor will most likely perform a physical examination and a neurological examination on you to understand the relationship between your physical condition and your muscle strength, reflexes, and responses to specific neurological stimuli. Your doctor may wish to take an X-ray of your spine to rule out other causes of back pain, such as a bone fracture. Additional medical imaging, such as an MRI or CT scan, may be needed to show the herniated disc and possible nerve compression in greater detail, but in most cases, the external examinations and an X-ray will yield a diagnosis.

What Does a Herniated Disc Diagnosis Mean for You?

The good news about herniated discs is that they are not life threatening in most cases. However, the bad news about herniated discs is that they can be painful and decrease quality of life. The inner fluid of the discs can seep out and irritate the disc wall, a nerve root, or the spinal cord. This may cause pain, stiffness, and muscle spasms at the site of the hernia as well as pain, discomfort, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness that travel to other areas of the body. Seeing your doctor to receive a diagnosis and proper treatment can help to minimize or eliminate these symptoms and improve your quality of life.

How Long Should You Wait Before Telling a Doctor?

If you are experiencing pain, spasms, and stiffness in your neck or back or unexplained symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in your extremities, you may have a herniated disc. You should wait no time at all to go see your doctor, who can discern if you should receive a herniated disc diagnosis or be diagnosed with another condition.