Herniated Disk
A vertebral disk may be described as having a relatively tough outer wall and a more gelatinous center. When a disk is herniated, some point of the wall has weakened due to injury or wear and tear and the disk has swelled or pushed out much like a tire will bulge when it is over- inflated. The inner portion of the disk may even spill out or a portion of the outer wall can break off. Since the spinal cord and nerve roots are very close to the disk, this will usually result in significant pain, numbness, tingling and even weakness in certain muscles. Physical therapists work to help reduce the symptoms down into the legs through manual therapy techniques, exercises, or pelvic traction and may use other modalities to help further reduce pain and muscle spasm.