Understanding Herniated Discs

Are you struggling with severe lower back pain? Did you injure your back when bending or twisting? You could be suffering from a herniated disc.

A herniated disc is one of the most painful back injuries that you can experience, and it is far more common than you may be initially aware of. A herniated disc is commonly associated with severe or sharp pain starting in the lower back (or neck) radiating down the leg (or arm). It can be so intense that people struggle to do everyday activities.

Call Pelham Physical Medicine today to make an appointment. With guidance from our physical therapists, you can find solutions to your pain and get back to living the life you enjoy!

Patient Success Story

What is a Herniated Disc?

Your spine comprises a series of interlocking bones, called vertebrae, with a specialized tissue in between each vertebra called the intervertebral disc (aka disc). The structure of your spine is what allows you to move freely forward and back, rotationally and from side to side. 

The discs provide cushioning and allow motion throughout the levels of the spine. The disc consists of fluid the consistency of toothpaste and moves depending on the positions and movements we perform. As we get older, the disc will start to break down and dehydrate, making it more susceptible to herniation. 

A herniated disc is a condition in which the nucleus pulposus (located within the center of the disc) herniates. This herniation causes pain and maybe even more pain if the herniated disc begins to press on the adjacent spinal nerves, causing pain and inflammation.

Easy Sausage & Herb Stuffing

Ingredients:

  • 8 cups (400g) store-bought unseasoned stuffing cubes
  • 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
  • 1½ cups diced yellow onion (from 1 large or 2 small onions)
  • 1 cup diced celery (from 3 large celery stalks)
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 pound bulk sweet Italian sausage (i.e., sausage with the casings removed) 
  • 2Âľ cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped sage
  • ÂĽ cup fresh chopped parsley
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with butter.
  2. Place the stuffing cubes in a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a large sautĂ© pan, melt the butter. Add the onions and celery and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft. Add the garlic and cook 2 minutes more. Add the vegetables to the stuffing cubes. (Don’t wash the pan but scrape out every last bit of vegetables, otherwise they will burn in the next step.)
  4. In the same pan, cook the sausage over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, until browned and cooked through, breaking up the sausage with a metal spatula while cooking (the largest pieces should be no greater than ÂĽ-inch). Add the browned sausage and fat to the bread cubes and vegetables.
  5. Add the chicken broth, egg, rosemary, sage, parsley, salt and pepper to the bread cube mixture and mix until the bread is soft and moistened. Transfer the stuffing to the prepared baking dish and bake for 65-75 minutes, uncovered, until deeply golden and crisp on top.

3 Ways to Practice Gratitude

Did you know that being grateful is actually good for your health? It’s true! We all love Thanksgiving for the excellent food, football, and time spent with family, but truthfully, this holiday means much more. Practicing gratitude can lead to greater happiness all year long. 

According to Harvard Health Publishing, “Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.”

If you want to implement more gratitude in your own life, take a look at these 3 tips. 

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name(Required)
YYYY dash MM dash DD