Did you know around 2 percent of people get a herniated disc injury every year? While not common, this spinal injury can have a significant impact on a person’s everyday life. Traditional treatment options include pain-relief medications, physical therapy, spinal injections, and spinal surgery. Chiropractic is another option, which is drug-free, all-natural, and non-invasive. Keep reading to find out how chiropractors can help people suffering from herniated discs.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc is a type of spinal injury. The human 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. This allows you to bend and move with ease. If a disc tears, this is known as a herniated disc. Indeed, a herniated disc can lead to pain and other symptoms that negatively affect a person’s quality of life.
What Are the Causes of a Herniated Disc?
Like any health condition, the causes of herniated discs vary for each person. However, the following are a few common causes of this injury.
- Getting older
- Improper lifting or twisting
- Being overweight
- Doing repetitive motions
What Are the Symptoms of a Herniated Disc?
The symptoms of herniated discs will vary just like with any injury. It also depends on where the injury is located, such as in the back or neck. For most patients, their symptoms will get worse with a lot of 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
How Chiropractors Can Help Patients with Herniated Discs
If you have a herniated disc, you know how uncomfortable and painful this injury can be. You may have tried multiple treatments, such as medication, physical therapy, and/or surgery. It’s likely that these methods have not worked, which is why you are seeking an alternative. Luckily, chiropractors have the skills, training, and resources to help you achieve your health goals, including healing from your spinal injury.
When you visit your chiropractor, they will discuss your health needs and perform a thorough examination of your spine. This may include doing an X-ray or MRI to verify the diagnosis of your herniated disc. The next step will involve your chiropractor creating a custom-tailored treatment plan to help you achieve your health goals. This plan will likely include specific adjustments designed to address your spinal injury.
Top 3 Chiropractic Treatments for Herniated Discs
Flexion-Distraction Technique
This is a special technique that involves the patient lying down on a chiropractic table 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. The goal of this technique is to stimulate the disc while the patient’s spine is in a stretched position. In turn, this allows the disc to gently move back into the correct 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 herniated disc. This technique involves a chiropractor giving a patient anesthesia, so the patient doesn’t have to experience any additional discomfort. The treatment may last anywhere from 15 minutes to an 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 depend 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 reduce any spine pressure causing a patient pain or discomfort.
We hope you found this week’s article helpful. Chiropractic care is an effective whole-body 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 alternative options like chiropractic care. You shouldn’t have to live in constant pain, which is why we encourage you to contact Keystone Chiropractic today. Our Plano chiropractors would love to help you gain victory over your health!
