Millions of us suffer from back pain on a daily basis leaving us to wonder, “Can a chiropractor fix a herniated disc?”
Herniated discs are a leading cause of neck and back pain. This problem often includes risk factors such as lifting heavy objects, repetitive bending or twisting motions. Other factors that contribute to herniated discs may be smoking, being overweight, or sitting for long periods of time.
A herniated disc can become worse over time if left untreated. This is especially true if you continue with the activities or movements that initially triggered the problem.
Chiropractors are skilled professionals who offer a variety of treatments that can help relieve your pain and get you on the road to healing.
At Intouch Chiropractic in San Diego, CA, we regularly (and successfully) treat herniated discs.
“I’ve been getting spine decompression here for the last few months and it helped tremendously with easing the pain from my herniated disc, I had so much tension from the injury that I was taking muscle relaxers often. Along with adjustments and miracle of modern medicine I’ve gained about 80% normalcy back and the pain in my spine is gone, I’ll probably never be at 100% due to degenerative bone issues but the work they did gave me my freedom to take the dog out on walks without pain, beach and hiking days. Customer service is also amazing me and Grace had wonderful chats, both Dr Jeanett and Dr Young were very compassionate and attentive I highly recommend having them as part of anyone’s care team. Thank you Intouch for helping me get back on my feet.” – Herniated Disc Treatment at Intouch Review by Sam N.
Keep reading to learn how chiropractic treatment can help your herniated disc. First, let’s cover the basics and discuss what a herniated disc actually is.
If you’re suffering from a bulging disc, learn how chiropractic treatment can help a bulging disc at our blog.
What is a Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc is a problem related to one of the discs or rubbery cushions that sits between the vertebrae that make up your spine. When some of the jellylike center of your spinal disc is pushed out through a tear of the disc’s rubbery exterior a herniated disc will occur.
A herniated disc can occur in any portion of your spine but is most common in the lower back. It can result in numbness, pain, or weakness in your arm or leg.
Visit our blog to learn the difference between bulged and herniated discs.
Next, let’s get into if chiropractic care is good for treating herniated discs.
Dr. Jeanett Tapia working with a San Diego patient experiencing bulging / herniated disc pain
Is Chiropractic Care Good for Herniated Discs?
Chiropractors offer a variety of non-invasive treatments that can relieve the symptoms of a herniated or slipped disc.
Here are a two of the things you can expect from a chiropractor to help alleviate your pain and discomfort when dealing with this painful condition.
Assess Your Overall Condition
The first thing a chiropractor will do is evaluate the overall health of your spine. They will also go over your complete medical history as well as perform a physical exam. They will be looking for any numbness, normal reflexes, as well as a decrease in muscle strength and mass.
If your chiropractor feels you are a suitable candidate for chiropractic care, they will recommend you for the appropriate treatment methods.
Recommend and Perform Chiropractic Treatments for Disc Herniations
Depending on the findings in your initial exam, your chiropractor will customize a treatment plan for your specific needs. Two examples of how Intouch Chiropractic helps patients is with the chiropractic therapy called NUCCA Spinal Care, and the implementation of spinal decompression therapy.
Now that we’ve covered a few of the ways chiropractic treatment can be beneficial when dealing with herniated discs, let’s get into some of the other questions people dealing with chronic pain from a herniated disc might have.
San Diego patient uses the spinal decompression machine to treat a herniated disc
Herniated Disc FAQs
Here are six questions relating to herniated discs that our patients regularly have.
Can You See a Herniated Disc on an X-Ray?
Many times a herniated disc can be detected by a physical exam and a review of your medical history. X-rays are helpful, and may be beneficial in ruling out other issues such as spinal alignment issues, broken bones, or infection.
Other imaging tests such as an MRI or a Myelogram are are oftentimes used to diagnose the cause of your back pain.
How should I sleep if I have a herniated disc?
We advise against sleeping on your stomach as it can be hard on your spine. It strains your ligaments, vertebrae, and muscles in your neck and can result in increased lower back pain. Sleeping on your stomach can alter the natural curve of your spine.
With that said, the best position for sleeping when you have a herniated disc is in a position that allows the spine to keep its natural curvature. Even if you prefer sleeping on your stomach, sleeping on your back may be the smartest sleeping position to choose for a herniated disc.
If lying on your back is too painful, slide a pillow under your knees and lower back.
If you are a side sleeper, we recommend placing a pillow in between your knees to alleviate hip pain.
How Long Does a Herniated Disc Take to Heal Itself?
For the majority of people, the chronic pain from a herniated disc will go away within 6-9 months.
Can a Herniated Disc Cause Permanent Nerve Damage?
The answer is yes. Herniated discs can eventually lead to permanent nerve damage if they are not properly treated. However, this is only the result in very rare cases.
The herniated disc can cut off nerve impulses to the cauda equina nerves that are in your legs and lower back. This could lead to loss of bladder or bowel control.
Although this may sound scary, symptoms can improve and herniated discs can heal. If you feel pain while performing movements or activities you once enjoyed, it’s time to seek help from a healthcare professional.
What is the Difference Between Disc Herniation and Disc Protrusion?
It’s easy to confuse one back ailment with another when you aren’t in the medical field. However, when people talk about disc herniation and disc protrusion, they are talking about the same thing. They are both referring to the process when the nucleus pushes completely through the annulus and squeezes out of the disc. It may be helpful to note that if a piece of the disc breaks off, it’s referred to as a sequestered fragment and will nearly always result in surgery.
Do massages make herniated discs worse?
While massage therapy may not fully heal your herniated disc, it can assist in the rehabilitation process. When practiced on surrounding tissue, a proper massage can increase blood circulation while improving range of motion and flexibility.
However, massaging directly on the actual herniated disc may aggravate your condition and increase your pain, so be careful. Focusing on the muscles on either side of the spine gives the injured area the best possible chance to heal on its own.
Chiropractic Care and Herniated Disc Conclusion
The majority of people with herniated discs will heal on their own over time. However, if you are in large amounts of pain and feel you are restricted from performing life’s basic tasks, take action. Our trained doctors at Intouch Chiropractic offer non-invasive treatments that can assist in alleviating the pain associated with herniated discs. Our non-invasive treatments can help you avoid spinal surgery and speed up your recovery time.
Our skilled staff is known as the best in the San Diego area. We have an extremely diverse clientele who suffer from a variety of ailments. Let us customize a treatment plan for you to get you feeling better and back on track.
Want expert help? Call our office today at (619) 756-7510 or request an appointment here.
