Herniated Disc

A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner portion of a spinal disc pushes through its outer layer, often pressing on nearby nerves and causing pain, weakness, or numbness. At Hudson Specialty Care, with locations in Cliffside Park, Elizabeth, and Edison, New Jersey, as well as Manhattan, New York, the team provides accurate diagnosis and a full range of treatments to relieve symptoms and restore function. Their goal is to address the root cause while helping patients return to daily activities with confidence. To schedule an evaluation, call the office or request an appointment online.

What causes a herniated disc?

Herniated discs often result from gradual wear and tear, also known as disc degeneration. As we age, the outer layer of the disc can weaken, making it more prone to tearing under stress.

Risk factors include:

• Repetitive lifting or twisting
• Prolonged sitting or poor posture
• Sudden injuries from falls or accidents
• Age-related changes in disc hydration and flexibility
  

Symptoms vary depending on the location of the herniated disc:

• Lower back (lumbar spine): Pain may radiate down one or both legs — commonly called sciatica.
• Neck (cervical spine): Pain, tingling, or numbness may radiate into the shoulders, arms, or hands.
  

Additional symptoms can include:

• Muscle weakness
• Reduced range of motion
• Difficulty standing or walking for long periods
• Suddenly, severe pain occurs if disc material presses heavily on a nerve

How is a herniated disc diagnosed?

Your evaluation begins with a thorough medical history and physical exam to assess:

• Nerve function
• Muscle strength
• Flexibility and mobility

Special tests may be performed to determine which movements trigger or worsen symptoms.

Imaging and diagnostic tools may include:

• MRI or CT scans to confirm the diagnosis and assess disc damage
• Nerve conduction studies to evaluate the impact on surrounding nerves and rule out other causes of pain
  

This comprehensive approach ensures your treatment plan addresses the exact source of your symptoms.

What treatments are available for a herniated disc?

Hudson Specialty Care offers a wide range of treatment options tailored to relieve symptoms, restore function, and support healing:

Interventional Pain Procedures

• Epidural steroid injections to reduce nerve inflammation
• Nerve blocks for targeted pain relief

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

For patients who don’t respond to conservative treatments, advanced techniques may include:

• Percutaneous discectomy
• Endoscopic discectomy
• Laser discectomy
• Endoscopic rhizotomy
• Spinal cord stimulation

Regenerative Spine Treatments

Hudson Specialty Care specializes in non-surgical, biologic therapies designed to promote natural healing and restore disc health:

• DiscSeel® Procedure: A minimally invasive treatment using an FDA-approved fibrin sealant to seal disc tears, regenerate tissue, and alleviate chronic back or neck pain.
• Intradiscal PRP Therapy: Uses a patient’s own platelet-rich plasma, rich in growth factors, to reduce inflammation, promote healing, and improve disc function.
• Stem Cell Bone Marrow Therapy: Involves injecting a patient’s own mesenchymal stem cells into degenerated discs to support regeneration and restore structure.
• Platelet Lysate Therapy: An advanced form of PRP where platelets are pre-activated to release growth factors immediately, providing a rapid anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect.
• ViaDisc® Procedure: A minimally invasive, non-surgical biologic treatment that restores disc hydration and function by injecting an allograft derived from human tissue into a degenerated disc.
• Intradiscal Laser Therapy: Targets damaged disc tissue using laser energy to reduce pain and pressure.
• Ozone Therapy: Reduces inflammation, improves circulation, and relieves pain with minimal side effects.

Conservative Care

• Medication management to control pain and inflammation
• Physical therapy to strengthen core muscles, improve posture, and restore mobility

Why is comprehensive herniated disc care important?

Left untreated, a herniated disc can lead to:

• Long-term nerve damage
• Chronic pain
• Reduced mobility and quality of life
  

Hudson Specialty Care’s multidisciplinary approach — combining neurology, interventional pain management, minimally invasive surgery, and regenerative medicine — ensures each patient receives the most effective, personalized care.

By addressing both the source of pain and supporting the healing process, the team helps patients recover faster, reduce the risk of re-injury, and return to an active lifestyle with greater comfort and confidence.

To learn more about herniated disc treatments, call Hudson Specialty Care or request an appointment online today.