Bulged and Herniated Disc

Bulged and Herniated Disc aka Slipped Disc

But can a chiropractor fix a herniated disc?

Chiropractic care will not reverse the herniation (only surgery can do that), but it can eliminate your painful symptoms so that surgery, drugs, and other treatment options become unnecessary. Don't struggle through the pain, call Vitality Health Center now.

SLIPPED DISC
The intervertebral disc is a special type of cartilage that connects and cushions the 24 bones of your spinal column. Each disc attaches to the vertebra above and below it. This provides the proper spacing for pairs of nerve roots to exit the spine from between each joint.

A disc can thin, wedge, bulge, protrude, tear, or herniate, but it doesn't slip! Safe and natural chiropractic care can help.

Each spinal disc has a jlly-lie "ball bearing" core that is contained by bands of fibrous tissue. Healthy discs give you flexibility, allowing normal turning and bending. This movement produces a pumping action that supplies proper disc nutrition and waste removal. Trauma produces the most common form of disc injury.

Spinal misalignments can cause disc tissue to adapt into a wedge-like shape. This is the earliest state of disc damage. While this position can encroach upon adjacent nerve tissue, pain of other obvious symptoms may not be present. Even before symptoms appear, chiropractic care can be helpful.

Like a blister, disc tissue can bulge. As the soft nucleus of the disc is compressed, it pushes outward where the disc wall is weakest. This distortion can produce obvious symptoms (sciatica) as it affect nearby nerves. Muscles tighten to protect and splint the joint. Chiropractic care has been known to help.

The most extreme form of disc damage is when the disc ruptures, leaking its contents into surrounding tissues. With is cushioning and separating functions gone, movement is painful and surgical intervention is often involved.

Uncorrected, long-standing vertebral subluxations can make discs susceptible to damage. "I didn't do a thing" or "I just bent over to tie my shoes" are comments we often hear.

A Herniated Disc (also called bulged, slipped or ruptured) is a fragment of the disc nucleus that is pushed out of the annulus, into the spinal canal through a tear or rupture in the annulus. Discs that become herniated usually are in an early stage of degeneration.

Herniated discs occur when a disc cushioning the vertebrae in the spine becomes damaged. This type of degenerative disc disease puts strain on nearby nerves and the spinal cord, causing pain.

Fortunately, non-invasive methods can relieve the symptoms of this disease. One option that you can consider is chiropractic care. Here’s how a chiropractor can alleviate pain caused by a herniated disc.

Symptoms of Disc Protrusion or Herniation - If a disc herniates or protrudes, it puts pressure on the nerves that run through your spinal column. This is what causes your pain and other symptoms. The specific symptoms you experience will depend on the location of your disc protrusion, but some of the most common symptoms are weakness, pain, numbness, or tingling. However, because your nerves branch throughout your body, these symptoms may not be felt in the spine at all. For example, a herniated disc in the neck may cause numbness and tingling in your arm or wrist, this is known as referred pain. Thus, even though your spinal nerve is being compressed, it is sending signals through the nerve root to other nerves throughout the body.

What Causes a Disc Protrusion? Disc protrusions are part of a degenerative condition and there are three primary ways they can occur: stress, injury, or a combination of the two. As you age, your discs can naturally start to thin and break down. As gravity pulls on your spinal column, this can cause the disc to protrude or rupture. Overexertion, bad posture, or being overweight can speed this process up.
A 2021 study found an increase in disc protrusion among inactive young individuals in the high tech gaming era.. Out of 33 patients with disc protrusions, 61% were smokers, the average Body Mass Index was in the “overweight” category, and all had sedentary lifestyles.

Sudden, extreme force (such as a car accident) can also cause—or exacerbate—a disc protrusion. If you have been in a recent accident, you may be able to pinpoint the cause of your herniated disc, but many people are unaware of the exact moment the damage occurred

Evaluate Your Overall Condition
First, your chiropractor will assess the extent of your herniated disc’s damage. Expect them to evaluate the overall health of your spine, as opposed to focusing on the painful parts. In addition, they will look into your medical history and conduct a physical exam. If necessary, they may also order diagnostic tests.

During your initial consultation, they will also evaluate your condition with a focus on the following criteria:

If your reflexes are normal
If you have muscle loss or decreased muscle strength
If you experience numbness or loss of sensation

Depending on their findings, they may refer you to a surgeon specializing in spine care. Loss of reflexes, muscle strength, and sensation signal the need for more aggressive treatment options.

They will also check if you are a good candidate for chiropractic care. Some patients are not fit to undergo chiropractic adjustments, such as individuals who have:

Spinal cancer
Advanced osteoporosis
A bone abnormality along the upper neck
High risk of stroke

Perform Chiropractic Techniques
Once your chiropractor determines that you are fit to undergo spinal manipulation, they will craft your treatment plan. This program is specific to your condition and needs.

Below are some methods chiropractors use on patients with herniated discs:

Flexion-Distraction Technique - This type of spinal adjustment aims to reduce the pressure on your discs. It involves using a specialized table, which makes it easier for your chiropractor to stretch your spine. They will lightly apply force onto the affected area with a pumping rhythm.
Flexion-distraction is a gentle and pain-free procedure, making it a great option for patients who suffer from severe pain. It can move the herniated disc away from the affected nerve, alleviating your symptoms.

Pelvic Blocking Treatments - This method utilizes cushioned wedges specifically crafted for chiropractic use. During the procedure, your chiropractor will put these wedges under both sides of your pelvis, hence the name pelvic blocking. By doing this, they naturally draw away your herniated disc from the affected nerve.

Apart from helping with herniated discs, pelvic blocking can also help with other conditions, such as headaches and other bodily pain.

If you are dealing with a bulged disc, protruding disc or herniated disc and you are looking to find long-lasting relief, talk with, Dr. John T. Toth, our dedicated chiropractor at Vitality Health Center by calling 651-773-9414.

Vitality Health Center serves patients in White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, Gem Lake, Little Canada, Vadnais Heights, Mahtomedi, Maplewood, North St. Paul, Shoreview, Oakdale, Lake Elmo, Woodbury, Arden Hills, North Oaks, Pine Springs, Grant and surrounding areas.

*Content on this page can also be found in the disc brochure at our clinic ©2003 Patient Media, Inc.