Herniated discs are often referred to as "slipped discs". This term derived from the action of the nucleus tissue when it is forced from the center of the disc.

The disc itself does not slip. However, the nucleus tissues located in the center of the disc can be placed under so much pressure that it can cause the annulus to herniated or rupture against one or more of the spinal nerves which can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the low back. leg or foot.

A herniated disc is a condition where the nucleus pushes out and puts pressure on the spinal nerve. You feel pain or irritation that you think is coming from the part of your body that the irritated nerve goes to. Your doctor can determine which disc is herniated by the location of the pain or discomfort

A herniated disc is also called a herniated nucleus pulposus, a disc rupture, and a disc prolapse.

The initial treatment for a herniated disc is usually conservative. One usually begins with resting the low back area, maintaining a comfortable posture and painless activity level for a few days to several weeks. This in in order to allow the spinal nerve inflammation to quiet down and resolve.

Physical therapy may be beneficial, under the direction of a physical therapist. These may include traction, ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, etc., to relax the muscles which are in spasm and secondarily inflamed from the compressed spinal nerve. Pain medication and muscle relaxing medications may also be beneficial to help physical therapy or other conservative, non-operative treatment. If these conservative treatments are not successful and the pain is still severe or muscle weakness is increasing, then surgery is necessary.