Did you know around 2 percent of people have a herniated disc injury? While this injury is not very common, this spinal injury can have a negative impact on a person’s daily life. Traditional treatment options include pain-relief medications, physical therapy, spinal injections, and surgery. Chiropractic care is another option that is all-natural, drug-free, and non-invasive. If this sounds interesting, keep reading to discover whether you should see a chiropractor for a herniated disc injury.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc is a type of spinal injury. When explaining this, it helps to also understand the human body. Your body has vertebrae in the spine from the base of the skull to the tailbone. Each vertebrae has round gel-like cushions called discs. These discs provide support between each bone, thus allowing you to bend and move easily. If a disc tears, this is called a herniated disc. Indeed, a herniated disc can cause pain and other symptoms that negatively affect a person’s health and well-being.
Causes of a Herniated Disc
Like any health condition, the specific causes of herniated discs will vary for every person. However, the following are a few common causes of this injury.
- Getting older
- Improper lifting or twisting
- Being overweight
- Doing repetitive motions
Symptoms of a Herniated Disc
When it comes to symptoms, this will also vary for each person. Additionally, it depends on where the injury is located, such as in the back or neck. Most patients find that their symptoms get worse with excessive movement, but will get better with rest.
For a herniated disc in the back, you may experience:
- Back pain
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness in the legs or feet
- Sciatic nerve pain (sharp pain felt from the back of your leg to your feet)
For a herniated disc in the neck, you may experience:
- Neck pain
- Numbness in the arms
- Pain around the shoulder blades
- Pain in the arms, hands, and/or fingers
- Pain that worsens when moving your neck in certain directions
Treat Your Herniated Disc Naturally With Chiropractic
If you have a herniated disc, you know uncomfortable and painful this injury can be. You may have tried various treatments, such as medication, physical therapy, and/or surgery. It’s likely that these methods did not work, which explains why you are seeking an alternative. Fortunately, chiropractors have the skills, expertise, and resources to help treat your injuries naturally.
By visiting your local chiropractic office, you will be able to meet with a holistic expert that uses a holistic approach to healthcare. Your chiropractor will discuss your health needs and perform a complete examination of your spine. This may include doing an X-ray or MRI to verify the diagnosis of your injury. Next, your chiropractor will create a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your health goals. This plan will include specific adjustments designed to identify and treat your spinal injury.
Three Chiropractic Treatments for Herniated Discs
Flexion-Distraction Technique
Flexion-distraction technique is a special chiropractic technique involving the patient lying on a chiropractic table. The table is designed to gently stretch the patient’s back and spinal column. The chiropractor will ensure that the patient is in the proper position and then use a precise hand technique to address the injured areas. This technique’s goal is to stimulate the disc while the patient’s spine is in a stretched position. As a result, this allows the disc to gently move back into the proper location. Patients who receive this technique will likely experience less pain, as this technique helps move the disc away from the nerves.
Manipulation Under Anesthesia
The manipulation under anesthesia technique may be recommended to any patient that is experiencing a lot of pain from their injury. This technique involves a chiropractor giving a patient anesthesia, so the patient doesn’t have to experience any added discomfort. For this treatment, it will generally last anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour. Since this is a precise procedure that takes time, patients should expect to receive this treatment for several days in a row.
As for anesthesia, the specific type used will be based on the patient’s level of pain tolerance. Your chiropractor may offer local anesthesia, mild sedative, or general anesthesia. It’s recommended to also talk with your primary care doctor about this type of treatment and whether it’s a good option for your unique health needs.
Pelvic Blocking Technique
For the pelvic blocking technique, this involves the patient lying down on a chiropractic table and having cushioned wedges placed underneath the patient’s pelvic bone. These wedges help adjust the patient’s posture, which will reduce any pressure being placed on the discs. Indeed, this technique’s goal is to stretch out the lower pelvic region, which will decrease any spine pressure causing a patient pain or discomfort.
We hope you found this week’s article helpful. Chiropractic care is an effective natural treatment for people with herniated discs. If you or someone you know is suffering from this spinal injury, remember that you have options. This includes traditional methods like medication, physical therapy, or surgery. You also have an alternative like chiropractic care. You shouldn’t have to live in constant pain, which is why we encourage you to contact Awaken Chiropractic today. Our Parker chiropractor near you would love to help you achieve your maximum health potential!
