Understanding the causes and treatment options for a herniated disc is crucial, whether it’s due to age-related wear and tear or a sudden accident.
This post answers:
- What is a herniated disc?
- Do I have a disc herniation?
- How can I relieve pain related to disc herniation safely?
- Can chiropractic care effectively treat a herniated disc?
- And more
Working with a chiropractor can help determine whether you have a disc herniation, but in the meantime, this post offers insight into the condition and will answer some of your questions.
So, let’s do it…
What is a Herniated Disc?
The spine is a complex engineering design that provides the body with support, flexibility, and mobility. It consists of a series of vertebrae, each separated by a specialized disc that acts as a natural shock absorber. These discs have a soft, gel-like core encased in a tough outer layer.
Healthy discs are crucial for spinal flexibility, enabling various everyday movements. However, when surrounding tissues become inflamed, excessive pressure can force the disc’s soft center to rupture through its protective casing. This condition, known as disc herniation, often results in pressure on nearby nerves. The most common locations for a disc herniation are the low back and the neck.
Symptoms of Disc Herniation
Common symptoms of disc herniation include:
- Low back pain
- Neck pain, stiffness, and loss of range of motion
- Motion and flexibility loss in the back
- A “blocked” or “stuck” feeling in a certain range of motion
- Pain into extremities
- Radiating pain from one area to another
- Headaches
- Numbness and tingling
Don’t ignore pain, even if it seems minor. Consulting a chiropractor at the first sign of discomfort can be crucial for your spinal health. Early intervention often leads to more effective treatment and faster recovery.
Do I Have a Herniated Disc?
Disc herniation can affect nearly anyone, as it can result from a variety of factors ranging from improper movements to traumatic events. Whether you regularly lift weights or spend extended periods on your handheld device, you are at risk of experiencing a disc herniation.
Causes of Herniated Discs
Common reasons for disc herniation include:
- Sudden and substantial accidents
- Improper posture, ergonomics, and workstation setup
- Poor lifting techniques
- Occupations requiring prolonged standing or repetitive bending and lifting
- Wearing improper shoes
- Wear and tear and aging
- Overuse of targeted areas
- Chronic injuries or illnesses
- Pregnancy or excessive weight
- High-impact sports
- Sudden movements causing strain
- Poor core strength
Many spinal issues can be addressed through lifestyle changes, but some require professional intervention.
How to Relieve Herniated Disc Pain Naturally
A chiropractor offers a dual approach to your care:
- In-clinic treatment: Expert management of your injury through hands-on, natural, and noninvasive techniques and therapies.
- Ongoing support: Personalized guidance on how to protect your spine in daily life, including numerous aspects, such as ergonomic adjustments, exercise recommendations, and postural improvement strategies.
This comprehensive approach not only aids in recovery but also empowers you to maintain long-term spinal health, reducing the risk of future injuries.
Gentle Movement
- Engage in light exercise and stretching
- Promotes healthy circulation, delivering nutrients and oxygen to the injured area
- Consider low-impact activities like gentle yoga or swimming
Directional Preference Exercises
- Through guidance from your chiropractor, move your spine in the direction that centralizes your symptoms and improves your range of motion
- Centralization occurs when symptoms felt distally (away from your spine) move centrally towards the spine
- Helps reduce numbness or tingling
- Improves function and range of motion
- Empowers the patient to improve outside of the clinic
Lifestyle Modification
- Avoid prolonged sitting or standing, especially in a posture that opposes your directional preference
- Go for short walks, generally less than half a mile. Bed rest is usually NOT the answer.
When to Seek Professional Help
Many spinal issues can be addressed through lifestyle changes, but some require professional intervention. Consulting a chiropractor at the first sign of discomfort can be crucial for your spinal health. Early intervention often leads to more effective treatment and faster recovery.
Chiropractic Treatment Options
Our Atlanta chiropractic clinic treats disc herniation with proven, comprehensive solutions. We believe in a holistic approach to care, tailoring treatment strategies to optimize your body’s natural healing processes.
We offer several services to treat a disc herniation in our Atlanta chiropractic clinic, including:
- McKenzie Method
- Chiropractic adjustments or spinal manipulations
- Active Release Technique (ART)
- Graston Technique
- Class IV laser therapy
- Rehabilitative exercise
- Blood flow restriction therapy
- RockTape
- Activity modification advice
- And others
Statistics and Encouraging Facts
Now for the good news!
Disc herniations are not always painful. In fact, for many, they are just a normal part of aging. According to a systematic review in 2015, disc herniation was present in 29% of individuals aged 20-29 and 43% of individuals aged 80-89. Just because you have a herniated disc does not mean you will experience pain.
For those with a painful or acute herniation, there is also good news! Your body has an amazing capacity to heal itself. While the time to heal can vary from months to a year or more, around 2/3 of individuals with disc herniations will eventually heal without intervention. 90% of individuals with a herniation will show greater than a 50% reduction in the herniation after 12 months.
Our Holistic Approach at M3 Chiropractic & Sports Medicine
Drawing on our extensive experience and expertise, we develop personalized treatment plans that address your unique needs, lifestyle, and specific pain points. We aim to provide effective relief and long-term wellness, ensuring you receive the most appropriate care for your condition.
When you’re ready to reclaim your quality of life, our team is prepared to help you achieve your wellness goals and provide the relief and comfort you need to return to your activities confidently.
Let Dr. Drew equip you with the tools to heal your body now and protect it in the future. Contact us today to get started.
References:
- Brinjikji W, Luetmer PH, Comstock B, Bresnahan BW, Chen LE, Deyo RA, Halabi S, Turner JA, Avins AL, James K, Wald JT, Kallmes DF, Jarvik JG. Systematic literature review of imaging features of spinal degeneration in asymptomatic populations. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2015 Apr;36(4):811-6.
- Takada E, Takahashi M, Shimada K. Natural history of lumbar disc hernia with radicular leg pain: Spontaneous MRI changes of the herniated mass and correlation with clinical outcome. J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong). 2001 Jun;9(1):1-7.
