Disc herniations can be debilitating, making even the slightest motion difficult. Our spines are designed to move freely, contributing to several movements, balance, and stability. When the spine becomes injured, the result can affect work, family, social, and physical aspects of your life.
Herniated discs are one of the most common reasons for back pain. And because chiropractors are educated in spine health and care, working with one is a great way to find where your herniation is and get safe, natural, and effective solutions to help heal it.
In this article, we talk about the following:
- What a herniated disc is
- Symptoms of a herniated disc
- Causes of a herniated disc
- Chiropractic solutions to help heal a herniated disc
- And more
If you think your pain may be due to a herniated disc, read on to learn how you can get the help it needs to heal.
What is a Herniated Disc?
The spine is made up of several bones called vertebrae stacked atop each other. Between each is a disc with a hard outer casing that protects a gel-like, soft center. When pressure is applied to the disc and vertebrae, the inside of the disc can start to push through its casing; this is called disc herniation.
Common symptoms of disc herniation include:
- Pain on one side of the body
- Pain that shows up in the back, low back, neck, arm, leg, or foot
- Muscle weakness and spasms
- Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations
- Neck stiffness
- Loss of range of motion or flexibility in the back, neck, or shoulders
These symptoms may be mild to start, but if your disc herniation isn’t properly cared for, they can become more intense, and the pain can spread further throughout the body.
What Causes a Herniated Disc?
When undue pressure is placed on targeted areas of the spine, the surrounding tissues can become compromised, affecting the integrity of spinal discs. Disc herniations can occur due to one acute event or worsen over time due to habitual movement and postural patterns.
Habits and events that can lead to disc herniation include:
- Improper lifting
- Poor posture and ergonomics
- Improper workstation setup
- Overuse or repetitive use, often because of occupation, sports, or exercise
- A traumatic event, such as an auto or sports accident
- An injury that didn’t heal correctly or a chronic injury
- Incorrect movement patterns
- Weight and pregnancy
- Whiplash
- Aging and regular wear and tear
However your injury happens, it’s important to learn what you can do to support your body. The discomfort your disc herniation is causing can be successfully managed if caught quickly enough.
Never ignore your body when it’s telling you it’s injured. The sooner you meet with your chiropractor, the sooner you can heal and start to live pain-free once again.
Chiropractic Care to Treat Your Herniated Disc
Chiropractic services are often the first stop for those suffering from back pain. With an expansive list of solutions that enable the body’s natural healing process, chiropractic offers little to no downtime, can keep surgery at bay, and relies on real results that treat the injury instead of simply masking pain as medication does.
Common chiropractic services for disc herniation include:
- Chiropractic adjustment and joint manipulation
- Dry needling
- Cupping
- Sports recovery
- Auto injury treatments
- And others
Visit Our Burlington Chiropractic Clinic for Disc Herniation
Typically, your chiropractor will assess your body and movements, determine your dysfunction, and create a unique wellness plan based on your needs. Your in-clinic treatments will be complemented by guidance regarding your lifestyle, posture, physical activity, and more so you get the best, safest, and fastest results.
At Cardinal Chiropractic and Sports Recovery, we know you need to live comfortably, free from restrictions and physical distractions. Our Burlington chiropractor and rehab specialist is dedicated to helping you reach those goals.
Stop living in pain, give your body the attention it needs, and learn how you can keep your good results. Schedule your appointment today.
