Herniated Discs – a Common and Painful Condition

The recently announced resignation of James Levine of the Boston Symphony Orchestra has brought a large amount of attention to the physical ailments of a very talented conductor. 

Levine suffers from many ailments, but most notably at this time it is his chronic back pain that has sidelined him from his duties with the orchestra.  No doubt, conducting an entire orchestra is very physical work.  Standing for hours at a time, using intricate hand motions and maintaining one’s focus and composure at all times while directing a large group of musicians nonverbally is an incredibly demanding position.

This , I would like to bring to our readers; attention some facts about spine injuries, back pain.  Perhaps an ounce of prevention can avoid a pound of cure.

 Like Mr. Levine, many Americans suffer from chronic back pain.  If you fall in this category, you may find that your entire mood has changed, as suffering through back pain can make even the most daily tasks difficult to enjoy and incredibly difficult to complete.  Firstly, let me advise all individuals who are suffering from back pain to seek medical advice and attention.  There could be a significant injury amidst the pain, and it will need to be addressed by your primary care practitioner. 

Mr. Levine suffered from not one but two common sources of back pain.  Upper and lower herniated discs.  For those of you not familiar with these ailments, a brief review of some anatomy may be helpful.  Your spine consists of 26 vertebrae, which are stacked up and compile your spine.  In between these discs is a jelly-like cushion.  A herniated disc occurs when one of your vertebrae slips out of place and displaces some of the fluid, which can bulge or strangle a spinal nerve and cause back pain.  Often times the back pain will radiate to the buttocks and legs when the injury is to the lower back.  It may radiate towards the shoulders and arms when an upper disc is herniated. Numbness and tingling, as well as muscle weakness also may be presenting symptoms.

 However, other significant and potentially lethal disease processes, such as heart attacks, can also present with radiating shoulder pain, so such pain is extremely important to have evaluated by a medical professional.

 Ways in which people contract herniated discs range, but often it is an injury associated with advancing age and wear-and –tear.  As we age, our spinal vertebrae lose the support of spinal cushioning fluid, the jelly-like fluid that makes the spine more flexible.  Therefore, as we age we are more prone to twisting/stretching related tears and injuries, which can lead to herniated discs.  This sort of wear-and-tear is known as “Disc Degeneration”. 

 Excess weight also puts added pressure on the spine.  Mr. Levine was known to have this risk factor, and unfortunately many of us do as well!

 X-rays, MRI’s and a thorough diagnostic exam are the ways such an ailment is diagnosed.  The treatment can vary.  As with many illnesses, the most common route of treatment is conservative.  Rest and the immediate halting of weight-bearing stressful spinal activities is a first-line option.  Heat, ice and physical therapy are other non-invasive therapies.  Pharmacologic treatment centers on reducing the swelling that occurs with the inflamed, herniated disc and included non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids as well.  The side-effects of these medications are important to monitor, and thus are under medical supervision.

 In Mr. Levine’s case, the most drastic of therapies has already been utilized.  He has undergone back surgery to repair the herniated disc in his cervical spine, which is located in the upper back.  Surgery also varies by type and procedure, but most often remove the entire disc and relieve the fluid-pressure that surrounded it.  It may be an immediate necessity if the herniated disc has been found to cause nerve injury or paralysis, but is also resorted to if less invasive techniques have failed to improve the person’s quality of life.

 While this by no means sums up the vast sea of information about herniated discs, I write this timely article to encourage Medfield Patch’s entire readership to prioritize their back health.  It has been a difficult winter, and many of us have shoveled more snow than has been seen in decades.  If you are experiencing significant back pain, do not wait until it is unbearable before consulting with your primary care practitioner.  Significant back pain has halted Mr. Levine’s career with the BSO and no doubt prevents millions of other Americans from living their daily lives to the fullest. 

 Remember that your spinal health is invaluable and be sire to rest it when in pain.  Back pain is not the kind of thing to “work though”, “burn off” or ignore.  Listen to your body!