First, since you have a previous diagnosis of herniated disc, lets discuss herniated discs and the symptoms resulting from them. When spinal discs are damaged by injury, disease or the normal wear and tear associated with aging, they may bulge out of place (herniate) or break open (rupture). A herniated disc alone may not cause discomfort. Pain occurs when pressure is put on the nerve roots or spinal cord. Depending on the location of the herniated disc, symptoms will occur in the area of the body affected by the nerve.
Some symptoms may include:
Pain
Numbness
Weakness
Tingling ("pins and needles" sensation)
Symptoms may vary greatly, depending on the position of the herniated disc. A herniated disc in the neck may cause symptoms in the shoulders, arms or chest. A herniated disc in the lower back may cause sciatica, with leg pain and other nerve-related symptoms. A herniated disc in the lower back may be felt in the buttock and down the back of the leg to the ankle or foot. There may be low
back pain, but usually not as severe as leg pain. Other symptoms of a herniated disc may include severe deep muscle pain and muscle spasms. Low
back pain that does not involve numbness, tingling and/or weakness, or pain in a leg is not usually due to disc herniation pressing on the nerve root.
Weakness in both legs and the loss of bladder and/or bowel control are symptoms of a specific and severe type of nerve root compression called cauda equina syndrome. This is a serious problem that requires immediate medical help.
Degeneration of the disc (disc disease), aging or injury to the spine are common causes of herniated discs. Disc disease may result from tiny tears or cracks in the outer capsule of the disc.
Disc disease may develop as part of the normal aging process. Herniated discs can affect people of all ages, but they are most common in people between 35 and 45 years old who perform heavy manual labor or drive motor vehicles for long periods of time.
Now to address the muscle spasms in the low back that you are suffering from. Injury to the spine can occur from sudden heavy strain or increased pressure to the lower back. Repeated activities such as poor lifting habits, prolonged exposure to vibration or sports-related injuries may stress the lower back.
The patient feels a sudden pain in the lower back while twisting, pushing or pulling. At first, it may be possible to continue the exercise. But after two to three hours, bleeding in the muscles stretches the torn muscle and tendons.
The spasm that results causes severe
back pain that gets worse with any movement of the back. The patient usually prefers to lie still, curled up with the knees bent and the spine arched forward.
Spasms happen often when a muscle is swollen and tender (inflamed) or strained. Any great force can tear the muscles and tendons of the lower back. This occurs commonly in sports like weight lifting, football, basketball, baseball or golf that require pushing or pulling or sudden twisting of the back.
The risk of back spasm goes up if you have:
A pelvis that tips forward more than normal causing a sway or hyper lordosis
Any back weakness such as
arthritis, spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, disk rupture, spinal stenosis, or a tumor
Tight hamstrings, the tendons that run down the back of the legs
Weak or inflexible muscles along the spine
Weak stomach muscles
As soon as possible after the injury, you may be treat the area with rest, ice and compression. Over the counter anti-imflammatories and anti spasmodics work well for spasm and
inflammation.
Chiropractic care would involve the treatment of the soft tissue spasm and
inflammation with Laser and or
Ultrasound, soft tissue massage with topical analgesics, manipulation and if warranted non-surgical spinal decompression. Please book an appointment with a
Chiropractor as soon as possible. He or she will complete a thorough examination that may include
x-rays, cat scans, or MRI’s.
