Herniated discs are one of the most common health concerns involving your spine. Unfortunately, they can be pretty painful. And, they can indicate your spine’s health is deteriorating.
However, with the right chiropractic treatment, it is possible to help them. Leaving them untreated could lead to issues with your mobility, though. So, it’s highly important to see a trained medical professional when you think you’ve got one. Between each vertebra, there is a small disc. Usually, they’re covered by something called the annulus. When the annulus slips, the discs can move out of place. We call this condition a herniated disc.
Chiropractic treatments are a non-invasive way to deal with herniated discs. In most instances, chiropractic procedures can alleviate a lot of the associated pain. People who prefer non-invasive treatments are the ideal patients for such procedures. Since chiropractors don’t use any medications, most people respond well to treatments. Plus, you won’t have to go under anesthesia for surgery.
Most chiropractors approach the body from a holistic perspective. Generally, when you ask them for help with a herniated disc, they’ll order a few tests. They might ask you to have an MRI or an X-ray. That lets them see what’s going on inside of the body. A lot of people don’t realize there’s a difference between a herniated disc and a bulging disc. Herniated discs involve an actual crack in the spine. Bulging discs simply move out of alignment with the spine. Sometimes, a bulging disc may progress to a herniated disc. Fortunately, chiropractics are useful for both conditions.
What Are the Most Common Causes of a Herniated Disc?
For most people, herniated discs don’t come out of nowhere. Usually, they’ll start off as something minor. Then, progressively they’ll get worse. Even something as simple as a sneeze could trigger a disc to herniate. Still, there are a few things to look out for. Certain behaviors increase your odds of developing a herniated disc. Avoiding them may help reduce your odds of getting this condition. Here are a few factors that could increase your odds of herniating a disc.
- Natural Aging: As you get older, the ligaments and bones of the spine weaken. This isn’t noticeable until people hit the age of 30 usually. However, past that point, the spine’s condition worsens more noticeably.
- Excessive Straining: Sometimes, people can herniate a disc in a single moment. Most of the time, when that happens, it’s because they did something excessive. For example, trying to lift something super heavy could cause you to herniate a disc.
- Repetitive Movements: Some people weaken their spines by doing too many repetitive movements. The more you move repetitively, the worse it is on your body.
- Injury: Car accidents are another common cause of herniation. Impacts along the spine put you at increased risk of herniated discs.
- Obesity: Being overweight also increases your risk of developing hernias in your discs. All that extra weight puts an increased load on them. So, they’ll weaken even more than they would’ve naturally.
- Genetics: Certain genetic conditions increase your odds of herniating a disc. If you’ve had other people in your family with the condition, you might develop it too.
How does a chiropractor treat a herniated disc?
Depending on the chiropractor, they’ll usually approach the condition from a few angles. Some of them prefer using the flexion-distraction technique. Patients must lie down on a special table. Then, the chiropractor massages the affected area. Using special hand techniques, they’ll manipulate the herniated discs. This helps to stimulate the disc while pressure is removed from the spine. This can push the discs back into their appropriate positions.
Also, moving the discs can relieve pressure for your nerves, reducing any pain. Pelvic blocking techniques are another popular way chiropractors treat herniated discs. In this procedure, patients put a foam block underneath their pelvis. By elevating their pelvic, the spine is relieved of pressure.
Then, the chiropractor can manipulate the affected discs more easily. Are you considering help for your herniated disc? If so, then you should contact us at 205-637-1363. We’d love to discuss treatment options with you. Our team has been able to help a ton of patients who suffered from herniated discs. Hopefully, we can help you too.
