Do you have back pain that is the result of herniated, bulging or slipped disc? Slipped discs can occur for a variety of reasons, including a car accident, sports injury, hard fall or general wear and tear from the process of aging. Our chiropractor in Hoover can examine your back and recommend the right treatment options to help heal your slipped and bulging discs without surgery.
Causes of Bulging, Slipped and Herniated Discs
A herniated, slipped or bulging disc is diagnosed with a portion of the disc material has bulged or slipped out of place. When this happens, it puts pressure on the soft tissues and nerves surrounding the disc, causing pain and inflammation. Herniated discs typically occur for two reasons, including:
Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
Degenerative disc disease occurs as you age. During this process, the discs start to dry out. This can cause the outer layer to crack. Once there is a break in the outer layer, the softer inner layer can bulge through the outer layer, resulting in pain and loss of range of motion.
Injury or Trauma to the Back
The second common cause is an injury or trauma to your back. This can occur in conjunction with DDD or by itself. In this scenario, you experienced a hard fall, car accident, sports injury or personal injury that put an extreme amount of pressure on the structures of your back, causing the discs to bulge or slip out of place.
Risk Factors for Developing a Disc Injury
Certain occupations and lifestyle habits can increase your risk of experiencing a bulging or slipped disk, including:
- Being Older – Individuals between the ages of 30 and 50 are more likely to experience a herniated disc than individuals who are younger. This is primarily due to the repetitive wear and tear on our backs as we age.
- Being Overweight – Having a weight that is above your physician recommended weight puts an extreme amount of pressure on your lower back, which can result in bulging and herniated discs.
- Repetitive Motions – If you do a lot of bending, twisting and lifting throughout your day, you can sprain and strain your lower back, which can result in a bulging or slipped disc and back pain.
- Having a Sedentary Lifestyle – Having a sedentary lifestyle can weaken your back muscles and lead to the development of a slipped or bulging disc. If you sit or drive for long periods of time for work, consider adding exercise into your daily routine to help keep your core muscles strong.
Chiropractic Care for Bulging, Slipped and Herniated Discs in Hoover
Our chiropractor offers drug-free treatments for herniated, slipped and bulging discs, including chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, diet and training. These treatments can be used a la cart, or they can be part of a comprehensive healing, health and wellness treatment program.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Chiropractic adjustments can help give your discs the space they need to retract and refill with a nutrient-rich fluid. Discs can become compression through a back injury or general wear and tear, known as degenerative disc disease. Chiropractic adjustments help keep your vertebrae properly aligned, which can give your discs the space they need to heal. As your disc starts to retract, you’ll notice less pain and an improved range of motion in your back.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a great treatment for reducing back pain and improving localized circulation to your muscles, skin and other soft tissues. During your acupuncture session, you will lay on your stomach and extremely thin needles will be inserted into your skin then left in place for a certain amount of time, usually 20 to 40 minutes.
Diet and Training
When it comes to improving your overall health and wellness, our chiropractor recommends diet and training, especially while you are healing and if you’ve lived a sedentary lifestyle for several years. Improving the nutritional value of your diet can help give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs to heal your injured areas. Strength training, especially in your core can help stabilize and support your spine, which helps to reduce your back pain. To schedule an appointment at our Hoover chiropractic clinic, give us a call at 205-637-1363.
