Herniated Disc
A herniated disc (also called a slipped or ruptured disc) occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes through its outer layer. This can put pressure on nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness. Herniated discs can develop in any part of the spine, but are most common in the cervical spine (neck) and lumbar spine (lower back).
Herniated Disc Q & A
What causes a herniated disc?
Discs can weaken or tear for several reasons, including:
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Age-related degeneration — discs naturally lose water content and flexibility over time
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Repetitive stress — heavy lifting, twisting, or frequent bending
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Sudden injuries or trauma — falls, car accidents, or sports injuries
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Genetic predisposition — some people have a higher risk of disc problems
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Poor posture and inactivity — prolonged sitting or weak core muscles increase spinal stress
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What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?
Symptoms depend on where the disc is located and which nerves are affected, but may include:
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Neck or low back pain (depending on disc location)
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Sciatica — shooting pain from the low back into the hips, buttocks, and legs
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Radiculopathy — pain, tingling, or numbness radiating into the arms or hands (cervical disc herniation)
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Muscle weakness in the arms or legs
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Pain that worsens with bending, sitting, or lifting
Some patients may have a herniated disc and experience no symptoms at all — diagnosis requires a thorough exam and imaging.
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How does Ashford Pain Solutions treat herniated discs?
At Ashford Pain Solutions, Dr. Ashford specializes in non-surgical, interventional treatments for disc-related pain. Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may include:
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Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) to reduce inflammation and relieve pain from irritated spinal nerves
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Facet joint injections or medial branch blocks (MBBs) if arthritis contributes to pain
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Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for longer-lasting relief after MBBs
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Trigger point injections to ease muscle spasms that worsen disc pain
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Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for patients with chronic disc pain or post-surgery pain that has not responded to other treatments
When appropriate, we also coordinate physical therapy to strengthen core muscles, improve posture, and support long-term spine health.
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Herniated Disc Treatment in Athens, GA
At Ashford Pain Solutions in Athens, GA, Dr. James Ashford — an interventional pain management specialist and board-certified anesthesiologist — provides advanced, minimally invasive treatments for patients suffering from disc-related pain. Our goal is to target the source of pain, reduce nerve irritation, and restore quality of life without unnecessary surgery.
Don't let a Herniated Disc stop you
If you are searching for a herniated disc specialist in Athens, GA, Dr. James Ashford and the team at Ashford Pain Solutions can help. Call us today at 706-286-8344 or request an appointment online to learn more about your treatment options.
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