Disc Injuries

Disc Injuries

Have you been told that you have a slipped disc or a herniated disc?  The good news is that disc injuries often recover well without resorting to surgery.  Recent research has told us several important things regarding disc herniations

  1. Many people who have “bulging discs” on an MRI have no noticeable pain or symptoms 
  2. Even large (and often painful) herniated discs can heal and get reabsorbed.  
  3. There is little long-term difference in recovery from a herniated disc whether you have surgery or not, but surgery has a higher potential risk of complications, and is significantly more expensive!

Why Our Discs Are Important

Intervertebral Discs have a tough outer ring and a soft gel-like center. Your discs both join and separate your vertebrae, and maintain the spaces where your nerves exit your spine.  These discs serve as cushions and shock absorbers that flex and spring as your move.   

Disc Injury Diagnoses

If you are diagnosed with a “bulging disc” it means that there has been injury to the tough outer layers, and soft gel center is pushing out.   If this is area is inflamed, it can result in pinching and irritation of the nerve roots that exit the spine.  This can sometimes contribute to radiating pain like sciatica in the leg

A herniated disc happens when the disc material ruptures to the point that the gel pushes outward. This can also cause pain and numbness due to the irritation of the nerves, and can be very serious in some cases.

A disc extrusion is the most severe type of disc injury. What it means is that the gel balloons extensively into the area outside the vertebrae or breaks off from the disc and can possibly cause injury to the spinal cord and nerves.  This tends to result in considerable back pain and limitation of range of motion.

Disc Injury Treatment

Research tells us that many disc herniations, even severe ones, can resolve and even re-absorb without surgery.  Proper treatment and activity is essential to helping the healing process along!

We offer drug-free, non-surgical treatment for disc herniation.  Common treatment includes:

  • A full evaluation of the mobility and strength of your spine, hips, and legs to find the areas of movement dysfunction and irritation
  • Adjustments to relieve stress and tension on the nerves, muscles, and joints of your spine that are causing strain on the discs
  • Microcurrent therapy to help relieve and heal muscle, joint, and nerve inflammation
  • Specific stretching and strengthening exercises to improve stability and mobility in your spine
  • Lifestyle recommendations for posture, sitting, breathing, stress management, and other factors that may be triggering the problem.

Our Clients Are Great! The Best!