Lumbar Disc Herniations

Disc herniations are a common injury in the low back, and the severity of disc herniation symptoms has a wide range, from localized acute low back pain to low back pain with sharp electrical pain all the way down the leg, and in some cases hip and leg pain without low back pain at all. This injury is one of the diagnoses that is captured under the symptom pattern of sciatica; the diagnosis of a disc herniation can be made based on history and exam, and imaging is not required to start care. 

For some people, the disc is directly compressing a nerve, but this scenario is relatively uncommon. In reality inflammation around the spine irritates the nerve roots in the vicinity of the disc injury leading to inflammation of the nerves which can be felt as sharp pain, elevated sensitivity, or numbness along their path. Laser therapy helps the body move through the inflammation and therefore accelerates healing of the disc and the nerves, reducing pain and improving mobility.