What is the Cause of Herniated Discs?

What Causes Herniated Discs?

Herniated discs can have various causes, just like most other symptoms. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

Diagnose your symptoms now!

see your health summarized and in detail
have a doctor review your case (optional)
learn what you should be doing right now

Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose herniated discs, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "herniated discs" as a symptom. For example, poor musculoskeletal health.

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

shoulder tightness

loss of height

sciatica

history of stress fractures

moderate morning stiffness

history of many broken bones

joint pain/swelling/stiffness

... and so on

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of herniated discs.

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate spinal problems, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

Have you ever had a herniated disc ("slipped disc")?

Possible responses:

→ No / don't know
→ Probably
→ Yes, one minor episode
→ Yes, several minor or one major episode
→ Yes, several major episodes

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate herniated disc(s), The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as Poor Musculoskeletal Health. Herniated disks suggest not only that there are problems with the spine itself, but also that muscles which are served by the affected nerves tend to weaken.

Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™