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How Chiropractic Care Can Help with A Herniated Disc

August 25, 2022

A herniated disc occurs when the jelly-like center of a disc bulges out through a tear in the tougher outer layer. The discs act as cushions between the vertebrae in your spine and help to absorb shock. A herniated disc can cause pain when it presses on a nerve. It can also interfere with your ability to perform everyday tasks, such as walking or sitting. If you are dealing with a herniated disc, you may be looking for a natural treatment that will help you to get back to normal. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective treatment for a herniated disc. Using a variety of treatments, including non-surgical spinal decompression, chiropractors can help to reduce the pain and improve the function of your spine. If you are living with a herniated disc, chiropractic care can be an excellent option for you.

What is a herniated disc?

Your spine is made up of 24 individual bones, or vertebrae, stacked on top of each other. In between each vertebra is a disc, which consists of a jelly-like nucleus in the center and a rubbery annulus that surrounds it. Most of the time, each disc sits exactly as it should. However, sometimes a tear can happen in the outer annulus, which allows some of the nucleus to push out. This is known as a herniated disc. Herniated discs can be painful, and may require treatment from a doctor or physical therapist. However, in most cases, the pain will resolve itself over time. If you have any pain or other symptoms associated with a herniated disc, it's always best to consult your doctor to rule out any other potential causes.

Some people with a herniated disc won't realize that they have it because they don't experience any symptoms. However, if the nucleus irritates one of the surrounding nerves this can cause symptoms, including: lower back pain/neck pain, depending on where in the spine the herniated disc is located; numbness/tingling in the feet, legs, back, shoulders, or arms. Muscle weakness, difficulty bending or straightening and sciatica (if the nucleus is pressing on the sciatic nerve) are also some of the symptoms of a herniated disk.  If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to see your doctor so they can determine if you have a herniated disc and provide proper treatment.  

A herniated disc can be caused by an injury or result from excessive strain of the back. In other cases, it can stem from natural degeneration of the disc due to age. In any case, if it is painful or debilitating enough to interfere with your life, you should seek some treatment.

How chiropractic care can help with a herniated disc

When most people think of a herniated disc, they probably imagine a very painful injury that can make it difficult to even walk, let alone do anything else. And while the pain is certainly one of the most debilitating aspects of this condition, it's important to remember that a herniated disc can also lead to other serious problems, such as nerve damage and paralysis. That's why it's so important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Conventional treatment for a herniated disc typically includes painkillers to reduce the pain, anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the inflammation of the nerve, and in severe cases, surgery. However, many patients with a herniated disc choose to visit a chiropractor because they want a treatment that focuses on the root cause (rather than something that just reduces the symptoms) but that is less invasive/risky than surgery. Chiropractors use a variety of different techniques to treat a herniated disc, all of which are designed to reduce pressure on the nerve and promote healing. In most cases, patients who receive chiropractic care for their herniated disc report significant improvements in their pain levels and overall functionality.

A herniated disc can cause a lot of pain and discomfort, as well as affect your ability to move correctly. Because of this, it is important to seek out treatment from a professional who understands the spine and how it functions. A chiropractor is an expert in the spine and how it functions. Because of this, they are often the best suited to understand exactly where the herniated disc is located, how it is affecting the surrounding nerves, and to create a treatment plan that will be most effective at treating the problem. In addition, a chiropractor will also be able to provide you with helpful tips on how to avoid further injury to your spine, as well as advice on how to maintain proper spine health.

When you visit a chiropractor for the first time, they will go through an extensive diagnostic process with you. This may involve taking X-rays or an MRI, and examining your entire spine. The reason for this is that problems in one part of the spine can cause issues throughout the rest of it. As a result, you may also benefit from treatments in other areas. After completing the diagnostic process, your chiropractor will develop a treatment plan specifically for you. This may involve regular adjustments, exercises, and lifestyle changes. With regular treatments, you can expect to see a reduction in pain, increased mobility, and improved overall health.

Once they have determined where your herniated disc is stemming from and understood exactly how it is affecting your body, they will develop a comprehensive treatment plan to reduce your pain and help you to move more normally again.

A herniated disc in your spine can cause pain, numbness, and stiffness, making it difficult to move normally. Thankfully, there are a number of treatments that can help to relieve these symptoms and get you back to feeling your best. These treatments can include spinal adjustments, which will help to realign your spine so that less pressure is being placed on the affected area. You may also receive manual therapy, which can promote blood flow to the area and help with healing. Therapeutic exercises can help to reduce stiffness and get you back to moving normally again. Strengthening exercises can help to ensure that the areas of your back that support the part of your spine with the herniated disc are working at their best. Physical modalities, such as ultrasound or TENS, can help to directly relieve you of your pain. And your chiropractor may also suggest certain nutritional supplements or particular ergonomic supports. By working with a chiropractor, you can find the treatment plan that’s right for you and finally get relief from your pain.

One of the most effective chiropractic treatments for a herniated disc is non-surgical spinal decompression. With this therapy, you will be strapped to a specialized computerized table that is able to precisely and gently stretch your spine and increase the space between your affected vertebrae. Doing so helps to treat a herniated disc in two ways: first, by taking pressure off of the nerve root that is being compressed; and second, by increasing the circulation of fluids in the area, which helps to reduce inflammation. In most cases, spinal decompression therapy is carried out over the course of several weeks, and most patients report significant improvement after just a few sessions. If you are suffering from a herniated disc, talk to your chiropractor about whether spinal decompression therapy could be right for you.

The exact plan that your chiropractor recommends will depend on your personal circumstances, overall health, and the particulars of your herniated disc.

How long will treatment take?

A herniated disc can be a very painful condition, and it can take weeks or even longer to recover from. However, most people will start to feel better after only a few treatments from a chiropractor. Your chiropractor will be able to give you a timeline of how long they expect it will take for you to get better and how many treatment sessions you may need. In the meantime, there are some things you can do to help ease the pain and speed up the healing process. First, try to avoid activities that put stress on your back. Second, take over-the-counter pain medication as needed. And finally, apply ice to the affected area for 15 minutes at a time several times per day. With time and care, you will soon be feeling back to normal.

While you are going through treatment for your herniated disc, it is important for you to stay as active as possible as complete rest may mean that treatment takes longer to work. Your chiropractor will be able to give you advice about what activities are safe and unlikely to make your herniated disc any worse.

When you are dealing with a herniated disc, it is important to find a treatment option that will help you to reduce your pain and improve your overall quality of life. Chiropractic care is an excellent option for many people who are dealing with a herniated disc. A chiropractor will work to reduce your pain and improve your range of motion, while also helping the disc to heal itself. This is because chiropractic care promotes your body's natural ability to heal itself. As a result, chiropractic care is non-invasive and has few side effects. If you are looking for a treatment option that will help you to improve your quality of life, chiropractic care may be right for you.

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