Whether you work a physical job or sit at a desk the entire day, you know there are few things that are worse than dealing with back pain. It interrupts your ability to focus on your work and keeps you from being able to do your job to the best of your ability. Though chronic back pain is a serious problem for many workers, identifying the underlying cause of the pain isn’t as simple as you might think. There are many different issues that can leave you searching the internet for "physical therapy services near me", but a herniated or bulging disc is one of the most serious. You’ll need to seek professional help to overcome the damage. Here are a few tell-tale signs to watch for.

There’s Intense Pain When You Sit Down
Ordinary muscle strain is often alleviated by sitting down or resting. It gives your muscles a chance to relax and removes the tension from the strained area. When you have a herniated disc, sitting will often make the pain worse. Pay attention to the way you feel when you’re taking a break or working at a desk. If the pain gets noticeably worse when you’re sitting down, call your doctor as soon as possible. 

The Pain Spreads Down Your Legs
One of the most common signs of a herniated disc is a condition called sciatica. This condition causes the pain you normally feel in your low back to run down the sciatic nerve which travels from your buttocks to your feet. When a disc ruptures or slips, it puts pressure on that nerve, resulting in pain throughout your lower back, buttocks, and legs. The pain is often slow to spread and doesn’t stick around for days on end. If you notice the pain shifting from your low back to your lower extremities when you perform certain activities, you may have a ruptured disc.

Feelings of Numbness
Believe it or not, ruptured or herniated discs don’t always cause sensations of pain. Sometimes, they cause parts of your body to feel numb or tingly. Think about the way your body feels when you’re moving around. If the pain is fairly consistent, you likely have a strained muscle. However, if the pain fades and leaves a feeling of numbness down one part of your body, you may have a herniated disc. If you notice this sensation, call your doctor immediately to discuss your treatment options. 

Get Help Quickly
Coping with low back pain throughout the day is never pleasant. Luckily, there are things you can do to correct the issue and get your body back on track. The best place to start is by working with an experienced physical therapy team and letting them slowly make corrections to your muscles and spine. Those corrections will help you stave off back pain in the future so you can focus on maintaining your health. If you’re experiencing low back pain, don’t wait. Contact your nearest office and schedule a consultation with our team.