Do You Have a Herniated Disc?
Have you ever known someone with a herniated disc or experienced one yourself? If the answer is yes, then this blog post is for you! A herniated disc is, also known as a "slipped" disc, could be the source of the nagging pain in your lower back or legs. Fortunately for you, a chiropractor offers several treatments that can help ease your pain, but before diving into the different treatment options, let’s dive into what herniated discs are and how they cause pain.
Rubbery, round discs cushions are seated in the spaces between the vertebrae in your spine. These discs serve as shock absorbers when you participate in different activities such as jumping, bending, twisting, running, and even walking! Each disc is composed of a soft, jelly-like core covered by an even tougher outer layer. A herniation occurs when the softcore pokes out through a tear in the tough outer layer of the disc.
If you or someone you know has a herniation that is minor, the symptoms may not be noticeable. While larger herniations tend to press against the nerves in your spinal column, triggering pain and other symptoms.
Although an injury or fall can cause a herniated disc, this condition is very often related to wear and tear that happens as you age. Discs naturally degenerate over time and become stiffer, flatter, and more prone to tearing. In addition to age, gender can be a factor in the condition. Men between the ages of 20 and 50 are more likely to develop herniated discs, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Other risk factors include:
- Not Getting Enough Exercise
- Using Your Back Muscles to Lift Instead of Your Leg Muscles
- Smoking
- Participating in Physically Demanding Work or Hobbies
- Being Overweight or Obese
- Driving for Hours at a Time on a Regular Basis
So now you might be wondering what symptoms will I experience if I have a herniated disc? And the answer is symptoms may vary depending on the location of the herniated disc. If the problem disc is in your neck, you might notice neck pain that radiates to your shoulder, arm, and hand, along with numbness, tingling, and weakness.
If the problem disc is in the lower back, you may experience numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain in your back, legs, or feet due to the inner core of the disc pressing on the nerves that travel to your legs. Symptoms also might be worse at night and/or worsen if you've been sitting or standing for a while. It is also important to note that the lower back is a common site for herniated discs. In severe cases, herniated discs can affect your ability to control your bowels and bladder or make walking difficult.
There are many different ways to help ease the symptoms experienced from a herniated disc. Rest and heat or ice packs can be used to help decrease pain and inflammation. Although resting as much as possible may seem like a good idea, it's best to start moving after a day or two. Too much rest can lead to muscle spasms and stiff joints.
If your pain continues despite home care measures, your chiropractor can offer many different treatments that may be helpful including but not limited to:
- Massage: Massage helps to loosens tight muscles and joints, improves blood flow, and triggers the release of endorphins that act as natural pain killers.
- Spinal Manipulation: A gentle, hands-on manipulation improves the alignment of your spine and can decrease pressure on your nerves. In a study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, researchers studied whether spinal manipulation was as effective as surgery in treating sciatica caused by herniated discs. They discovered that 60% of patients received just as much benefit from spinal manipulation without the invasiveness of surgery.
- Flexion-Distraction: This therapy takes place on a special therapy table that stretches your spine. Flexion-distraction is used to decompress the disc and increase its height.
- Ultrasound Therapy: Applying ultrasound waves helps to relax the muscles in your back, reduce pain, and promote healing.
- Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS): EMS uses a low-frequency electrical current to warm and relax tight muscles, improve blood flow, trigger the production of endorphins, and speed up healing.
So if you are struggling with back pain, we can help you relieve your pain naturally in many different ways. Contact us to schedule an appointment!
Are you struggling with back pain? We can help you relieve your pain naturally. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
Sources:
Harvard Health Publishing: Don’t Take Back Pain Sitting Down, 3/20
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We understand that arriving at a doctor's office for the first time can be nerve racking. If you've never experienced chiropractic care before, you may not know what to expect when you come to our Alpharetta chiropractic office for the first time. Filling out paperwork, learning new faces and names, and getting to know your way around the office can be an overwhelming experience.
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