The lower back is one of the most common places where herniated discs occur. The lower back is involved in many daily movements and activities and can easily be overworked. In addition, if your muscles are weak or tight, too much strain can be placed on the lower back, leading to disc injury. If you have a herniated disc it means that the jelly-like center in the center of the disc is bulging out of position. The symptoms you experience depend on how far the disc center is bulging out and whether or not it is placing pressure on surrounding nerves or tissues.
Lack of Symptoms
Changes naturally occur to the discs with age. With wear and tear, your discs lose fluid, and the space between the vertebrae can change or narrow. Given this, herniated discs, especially in the low back, are common. If your disc is only slightly bulging and not pressing on nearby nerves, you may never have any symptoms or problems.
Common Symptoms
The most common symptoms of a lumbar herniated disc are pain and numbness. According to Neurosurgery Today, one of the most common symptoms of a herniated disc in the lower back is sciatica. Pressure on the sciatic nerve can cause pain, burning, tingling and numbness going all the way from the buttocks to the foot. The pain may be sharp or feel like an electrical jolt. Sciatica usually occurs on just one side of the body. It happens on the same side the disc is bulging toward. For example, if the disc has herniated to the right, then sciatica will be felt on the right side. Everyone experiences sciatica differently. For some the symptoms are worse when standing, for others when walking and some find sitting the most uncomfortable.
Other Symptoms
The American Academy of Family Physicians states that "In more advanced cases, motor deficit, diminished reflexes or weakness may occur." You may notice that your pain is worse when you are bending forward or lying on your back and trying to lift your leg straight up. You may find that specific movements seem to trigger your symptoms and other positions relieve it. You may also experience muscle cramping or spasms in the legs.
Severe Symptoms
If the herniated disc places too much pressure on the nerves, you may have trouble walking due to pain and/or weakness. According to the Mayfield Clinic, "In severe cases, you may experience foot drop (your foot flops when you walk) or loss of bowel or bladder control." If these symptoms occur, you need to see your physician right away.
