{"id":3379,"date":"2026-02-22T02:56:41","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T02:56:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/d.sheep-mine.ts.net\/?p=3379"},"modified":"2026-02-22T02:56:41","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T02:56:41","slug":"128646278-cms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d.sheep-mine.ts.net\/?p=3379","title":{"rendered":"Slipped Disc Symptoms: \u201cI thought it was a muscle pull\u201d: The early symptoms of slipped discs explained | – The Times of India"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Back pain is often brushed off as just another muscle strain, but it may actually indicate a slipped disc, a frequent culprit behind nerve-related problems. Dr. Sanjay Kapoor emphasizes that if you’re experiencing ongoing or radiating pain, alongside any numbness or weakness, these are warning signs not to be ignored.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Back pain usually begins quietly. A slight strain after lifting a suitcase. A stiff neck after a long drive. Many people brush it aside, assuming it is just a pulled muscle. But sometimes, that \u201cmuscle pull\u201d is the first sign of something deeper, a slipped disc.Dr Sanjay Kapoor, Consultant \u2013 Robotic Joint Replacement & Orthopaedic Surgery, Manipal Hospital, Gurugram<\/span>, told TOI Health, \u201cA slipped disc is one of the most common problems causing back pain and nerve issues. What people often think of as a mere muscle pull can be more than that, it may be a symptom of a slipped disc.\u201dUnderstanding the early signs can make a real difference. It can prevent months of pain and, in rare cases, permanent nerve damage.<\/p>\n

What exactly is a slipped disc?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

The spine is made up of small bones called vertebrae. Between these bones sit soft, cushion-like discs. These discs act as shock absorbers. They help the spine bend and move.A slipped disc, also called a herniated disc, happens when the soft inner portion of the disc pushes out through a crack in the tougher outer layer. When this bulge presses on nearby nerves, pain begins.Dr Kapoor says, \u201cA slipped disc is a spinal condition that can happen anywhere in the spinal column. The disc can press on nearby spinal nerves, including the sciatic nerve. This causes intense pain that radiates down to one or both legs.\u201dThe condition is common. According to the National Library of Medicine<\/a>,<\/a> lumbar disc herniation is one of the leading causes of sciatica and lower back pain.In India, data from Cureus<\/a> shows that low back pain is among the top causes of years lived with disability.<\/p>\n

Why it feels like a simple muscle pull<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

In the early stage, the pain can look harmless. It may begin after bending, lifting, or twisting. Sometimes, it starts without any clear injury.Dr Kapoor explains, \u201cAt first, the symptoms of a herniated disc are very similar to those of a strained muscle. The discomfort may start all at once or come on slowly. Given that muscle pulls are frequent and generally not serious, people often overlook the symptoms.\u201dMuscle pain usually improves within a few days. Disc-related pain behaves differently. It may:<\/p>\n

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