Finding Relief From Disc Herniations

So, you’ve suffered a disc herniation, and it’s causing severe pain. Do you need an injection or surgery? What type of doctor should you see? Can a Chiropractor make it...worse? These are all common thoughts that may race through your mind after you’ve experienced a spinal injury. First, take a deep breath and relax. Leading research journals have shown that you made a smart decision by choosing chiropractic care. Many leading health organizations are now recommending chiropractic as a top choice to find relief from disc herniations.

Studies have shown that over 90% of people with a lumbar disc herniation that were treated with spinal adjustments improved within 3 months, and 88% improved within 1 year. Perhaps even more impressive was another study, which indicated that, for disc herniations in the neck, 86% of people found relief with chiropractic adjustments compared with less the 50% of people who underwent a spinal injection. We continue to learn that, most of the time, the benefits of medications, injections, and surgery just don’t outweigh the risks.

• Top healthcare organizations recommend taking a conservative approach to care, such as chiropractic. In most cases medications, injections, and surgery should only be used when conservative treatments have failed.

• In a recent study, researchers found that over 90% of patients with a lumbar disc herniation improved within the first 3 months of receiving chiropractic adjustments.

• Over 35% more people with cervical disc herniations found relief with chiropractic adjustments than with spinal injections.

Discovering the most up-to-date Research That Matters is part of our practice. We focus on using this research and combining it with our clinical expertise and experience to provide you with the best care possible. So, if you are suffering from a disc injury, please know that you’re in the right place, and we are grateful you have trusted us with your recovery.

Disc Bulge vs Disc Herniation

The bones, discs, ligaments, and muscles of your spine are designed to help you maintain

proper spinal alignment, posture, and movement. Between each set of bones or vertebrae is a

small rubbery disc. These discs act as small shock absorbers for your spinal bones and nerves.

They have a tough, rubber-like outer layer called the annulus fibrosis and a soft jelly-like center

that is called the nucleus pulposus. As you age or encounter injuries, the curve of your spine

may fall out of alignment. This can place uneven stress on your spinal column and

discs,increasing the chance of having a disc break down and herniate.

A disc herniation occurs when the outer portion of the disc ruptures (or tears) and the soft

inner portion squeezes out. This type of injury can cause pain at the site of herniation, or

sometimes the herniated disc can pinch a nearby nerve, causing pain that can radiate down into

your arms or legs. Similarly, a disc bulge occurs when the outer wall of the disc is weakened, but

the inner portion has not yet broken through.

• A disc herniation occurs when the inside of a spinal disc breaks through its outside wall.

• Disc herniations often contribute to nerve compression, which can send pain, weakness, or numbness into your arms or legs.

• By maintaining proper spinal alignment, you can reduce added wear and tear on your discs and potentially decrease the likelihood of a disc herniation.

Now that you know what a disc herniation is, be sure to stay tuned. Next week, we’ll reveal the

best ways you can find natural relief. Can you guess what type of care resulted in over 90% of

people with a disc herniation finding improvement within the first few months? We’ll be back

next week with the answer!

How to Keep Your Spinal Discs Healthy

Spinal discs are the shock absorbers between the bones, or vertebrae, of your spine. The discs have a tough outer ring and a jelly-like center. Their job is to help us move, bend, and twist while absorbing the weight of gravity. But, over time, our spinal discs can become degenerative. Injuries, aging, and the effects of gravity all contribute to disc degeneration. The good news is that degenerative discs rarely cause pain unless they bulge or herniate, placing pressure on the spinal nerves. So how you can slow down the degenerative process and keep your discs healthy?

Top research journals have recently discovered that movement and hydration are two important factors to keep your discs healthy. A well-hydrated disc can more easily adapt to movement and is less prone to injury. Many chiropractic techniques are designed to “pump” your spinal discs. This motion helps bring nutrients into the disc and pushes out inflammation and waste. That is a fancy way to say that chiropractic care can help keep your spinal discs healthy!

Here are the key takeaways:

-Your spinal discs act as small shock absorbers between the bones of your spine

-Movement helps bring nutrients into the disc and pushes out waste and inflammation; helping them stay healthy

-Torn, herniated, or bulged discs can cause pain by irritating the nearby nerves. Researchers have found chiropractic care to be one of the best ways to heal and feel better!

A combination of chiropractic care and staying well-hydrated are two ways to keep your spinal discs healthy and pain-free. But, don’t forget to stay active between your adjustments. And here is one more tip to slow down Father Time-daily exercise and stretching. Exercise and stretching will not only keep you fit and trim but can also potentially slow down the degenerative changes of your spine keeping you healthy and active for many years to come!