Chronic Disc Pain

Chronic disc pain is a condition which strikes fear into the hearts and minds of many back pain patients. Herniated discs have the nasty reputation as a serious and debilitating spinal disorder. Many patients suffer from chronic disc related pain for many years without finding any effective treatments or therapies. Why is herniated disc pain so treatment resistant? Why do patients suffer for so long despite active treatment? Why do spinal surgeries demonstrate such poor long term results for disc related pain? The answers to these questions are clear once you realize that herniated discs are rarely the actual source of symptoms in the majority of diagnosed patients�

chronic disc pain

Chronic Disc Pain Causes

Yes, you have one or more herniated discs. No one is disputing that. Guess what, I have 2 of them also. My L4/L5 and L5/S1 discs are in terrible shape. I saw the MRIs and sure enough, those discs certainly do look scary to me. I listened to the doctors and became even more frightened of the consequences of these bulging and ruptured (1 of each) discs. Actually, once I learned that I actually had 2 problematic discs in my lumbar spine, my pain became steadily worse... How is this possible? Well, the diagnostic nocebo effect is very powerful and can make all painful conditions worse, regardless of whether they are caused by a physical condition or a psychosomatic process.

Chronic Disc Pain Realities

I suffered from horrific pain for 18 years that was mistakenly blamed on my herniated discs. If I listened to the diagnosis and prognosis of my condition according to literally dozens of doctors, chiropractors and complementary therapists, I would surely be completely disabled by now. However, the reality is that I am completely pain free. How did I defeat my torturous disc pain? I DIDN�T. I simply realized that my pain had nothing at all to do with my herniated discs. Once I accomplished this, curing the pain was actually quite easy. I just wish I discovered this information years earlier�

Herniated discs are an extremely common spinal abnormality. They exist in so many patients who do not even know they are present. That is because they normally cause no pain or related symptoms at all. Fresh disc injuries can be painful, but will usually heal on their own, with no treatment, in 6 to 8 weeks. A minority of disc injuries might require conservative treatment, but will once again heal in a matter of weeks. It is almost unheard of for a herniated disc to cause chronic pain. Why then do slipped discs have such a bad reputation as a long term pain syndrome?

Chronic Disc Pain Scapegoat

Herniated discs are blamed for so many chronic pain syndromes for several reasons often working in tandem with each other. First off, they are extremely common. They often exist coincidently with an unrelated psychological pain syndrome. The subconscious mind knows the herniated disc is there and understands that it is a good location to begin psychosomatic symptoms. A pain condition with a diagnosable anatomical cause is far more convincing than one which can not be identified. Next, medical science still mostly denies that the mind can enact a physical pain syndrome within the body. Research has proven that the mind interacts with the body constantly and can cause many physical reactions. Doctors accept many of these reactions as a mind/body phenomenon, but strongly refute others. Medical science does not train doctors to recognize, diagnose or treat psychosomatic pain syndromes, so this is no surprise. Add to this fact that physical medicine is a HUGE INDUSTRY and you will see why the economic motivation will keep doctors from accepting this fact for years to come. Finally, there can be pain associated with herniated discs. As previously mentioned, a new injury can be painful, but will heal. It is the assumption of most medical professionals that continuing pain is the result of lingering disc symptoms, when in reality, this is very rare. If this were the true situation, appropriate medical treatments would surely cure the chronic pain, but as we all know, they seldom do�In addition, programs such as knowledge therapy would be completely useless against a physical pain condition, but in reality, they have worked miracles for millions of patients including this humble author.

Recommendation on Chronic Disc Pain

If you are like me, there is a good chance you are fed up with your chronic disc related pain. There is nothing that can describe the fear you must feel for your future and the overwhelming frustration you experience from your present failing treatments. I completely understand what you are going through�

Take time to learn about why your pain might not be related to your poor maligned herniated discs at all. Remember, no one is disputing the existence of the herniated discs, I am merely presenting the opinion that these discs are rarely the cause of any long term pain. Do the research for yourself. Learn the facts. Accept the truth. Once you can do this, the cure is so close, you will simply be able to reach out and grab it. Bye bye chronic disc pain, bye bye!!!

Chronic Disc Pain to Back Pain Home page 7/26/07 Revised 5/24/08