Episodic herniated disc pain is commonplace, with many patients suffering flare-ups of symptomatic activity over time. Episodic pain means that symptoms recur every so often, in patterned or random ways. Many patients call these episodes attacks or flare-ups.
Why does herniated disc pain tend to occur over and over again? Is there some way to prevent pain from flaring up? Will episodic pain lead to chronic pain? These questions all deserve attention and shall receive just that during the course of this focused discussion.
This post is written exclusively for people who suffer regular flare-ups of herniated disc symptoms. If you want to know more about these attacks, then you are in the right place to learn.
Episodic Herniated Disc Pain Characteristics
Some people have back or neck pain due to a herniated disc, recover and never have it again. While this is rare, it can occur. Most people who are diagnosed with a herniated disc which is blamed for causing pain will statistically suffer recurrences of pain from that moment forward. It is sad; but true.
Episodic pain often necessitates treatment when it is severe. Many people will visit their local emergency room for a serious episode of disc pain, while others who have already lived through the frustration of hospital-based back pain care tend to visit their orthopedist or neurologist directly.
Flare-ups can be better or worse than the previous bout of pain. Often, they vary in intensity, depending on many factors. Episodic disc pain might also occur with degenerated discs or even with chemical radiculitis, instead of simple bulges or herniations.
Recurring Disc Pain Triggers
What causes pain to recur and flare-up? The circumstances that cause an attack are known as a trigger. You could only imagine the stories of triggers that we have heard over the many years that we have worked to help patients in the chronic pain sector. They range from logical (exercise) to illogical (wearing particular colored clothing) to downright insane (I have pain more on Thursdays).
Some patients might suffer structural triggering of pain. True pathological disc issues might worsened temporarily (or permanently) due to activity and positioning. Fortunately, structurally-based disc pain is actually quite rare, since most herniations are not symptomatic at all. However,, it is possible to experience exacerbated pain from overexertion, sleeping “weird”, hurting oneself and any other potentially traumatic activity or circumstance.
Some people report weather-related disc pain triggers. While this seems crazy, there is actually some degree of legitimate science (concerning barometric pressure) supporting this problem.
The vast majority of people who suffer recurring disc pain do so because of a mindbody syndrome at work. Their pain may or may not have been sourced by an acute disc trauma at some point (many times, it never was, but was incorrectly blamed on an innocent herniated disc), but has since been perpetuated exclusively by a regional ischemia syndrome. This is the most common reason for recurring attacks of back, neck and sciatica pain, regardless of the diagnosis, shedding light on the reason for the epidemic of chronic pain which now rules the modern medical system.
Will Episodic Herniated Disc Pain Lead to Chronic Pain?
Yes, unfortunately in many cases it will. Statistics clearly show that most chronic back pain begins as recurring acute expressions that tend to happen more often and more intensely over time. Unless the patient can break this cycle it will likely begin a desperate battle for control of their very life. This is the reality of chronic pain.
Chronic pain is not inevitable, but it is more likely with each occurrence of episodic pain, especially if the severity of pain tends to increase each time or every few times. However, all types of pain can be cured, including the most chronic, persistent and treatment-resistant.
Remember that most recurring and chronic pain does happen due to misdiagnosis. Since herniated discs are THE MOST common of all misdiagnosed conditions in the entire back pain treatment arena (and this is saying quite a lot!), the chances of you suffering from recurring structurally-based disc pain are actually very slim. However, you must know that recurring pain is one of the major indicators of ischemia which has been mistakenly blamed on an incidental disc abnormality. Once they understand and embrace this truth, the vast majority of patients can find a true and lasting cure for their pain and not become slaves to episodic horror any longer.
Herniated Disc > My Herniated Disc Story > Episodic Herniated Disc Pain
