Herniated discs are one of the most common—not to mention painful—problems that working professionals have to deal with on the job. Without treatment and time off from the type of work that caused it in the first place, a damaged spinal disc will not get better. In fact, it can only get worse without the right remedy.

But how can you afford to take time off from work and pay for your medical bills?

Everyone who has asked me that question is beyond relieved to hear that this type of injury is covered by workers’ compensation. To help prevent this type of injury from getting worse or from happening in the first place, it helps to understand how it happens as well as what symptoms to look out for in the future.

Ready?

Here we go.

How Herniated Discs Happen

The discs in your spine are spongey little shock absorbers. They help protect the bones and nerves in your spine from getting injured during movement. However, they can slip out of place. When this happens, the disc pushes on nearby nerves, which causes pain, sometimes so severe that it prevents the sufferer from getting out of bed.

Herniated discs happen for a variety of reasons. The cause is often a sudden shock to the spine, usually from improper lifting techniques, slip and fall accidents, repetitive motions, or even automobile accidents. While it is true that people with manual labor jobs have a higher risk of sustaining such an injury, even people who work in an office can herniate their discs from sitting for long periods without a break.

This type of injury can occur anywhere from the cervical joints in the neck to the lumbar regions of the lower back. Because of this, symptoms are not always the same.

Symptoms of Herniated Discs

The symptoms associated with disc injuries can take the following forms:

  • Weakness in the arms or legs
  • Difficulty moving
  • Back and shoulder pain
  • Chest, abdominal, and hip pain
  • Numbness and tingling in one or both legs
  • Headaches regardless of sitting, standing, or lying down

If you have any of the following symptoms and you think you’ve injured a spinal disc, it’s important that you do not continue work. Report your injury to your supervisor and seek the advice of a medical professional as soon as possible. Continuing to work without treatment can worsen your condition and cause lasting damage.

Getting Your Claim Accepted

Once you have reported your claim to your supervisor, you should make an appointment with a doctor. To get your work injury accepted, choose a medical professional who has experience dealing with workers’ compensation cases and showing causation between work performed and injury.

Want a doctor who is experienced with back injuries and workers’ compensation? Call us today to set up your appointment. We will start treatment right away and make sure that your claim is accepted so you can get the benefits you deserve.