Unlocking Relief: Chiropractic Care for Herniated Disc

Are you among the many who suffer from the discomfort of herniated discs? At Willow Chiropractic, we understand the challenges posed by this condition and specialise in offering effective treatments to alleviate your pain and restore your mobility. In this article, we’ll explore the symptoms and treatment options for herniated discs, providing insights into how chiropractic care can make a difference in your life.

Understanding the Prevalence

Research indicates that annually, 5 to 20 out of every 1000 adults (with a male to female ratio of 2:1) are afflicted by this condition, predominantly affecting individuals in their 30s to 50s.

Identifying Symptoms of a Herniated Discs

Pinpointing the distinction between various back injuries can pose challenges, as different locations often yield different symptoms. To simplify matters, let’s focus on two common areas where herniated disc injuries occur:

In the Lumbar Spine (lower back)

• Experience lower back pain
• Feel numbness or tingling in buttocks and legs
• Encounter difficulties bending or straightening your back
• Notice muscle weakness

In the Cervical/Upper Thoracic (Neck/Upper Back)

• Feel pain radiating from neck to shoulders and down the arms
• Experience numbness or tingling in the shoulder, arm, or hands
• Encounter weakness in hands and/or arms

Diagnostic Process for Herniated Discs

Our Chiropractors begin by evaluating your symptoms and delving into your medical history, considering factors such as intensity, duration, and any patterns associated with your leg or back pain. We also explore any previous injuries or illnesses involving your back, family history of low back pain, lifestyle habits, and more. A thorough physical examination follows, where we assess movement limitations, balance issues, and signs of pain. Additionally, we may conduct tests to check reflexes, muscle strength, and sensory response.

While MRIs may offer insights into disc visualisation, their reliability is limited, as abnormalities may be missed, and disc bulges are common in individuals without back pain.

Treatment Approaches for Herniated Discs

Conservative management through manual therapy is deemed the optimal therapy for disc bulges. Chiropractic treatment aims to alleviate symptoms and impede the progression of herniated discs. Our goal is to minimise reliance on injections and surgery, which often yield unsatisfactory long-term outcomes.

Primary Treatment: Chiropractic Adjustment

At Willow, spinal adjustment stands as the cornerstone of our treatment strategy for disc issues. This controlled, specific force applied to a spinal joint is designed to:

• Enhance movement
• Boost disc hydration

By alleviating pressure on the nerve, spinal adjustments reduce pain and discomfort while promoting nerve supply, thereby enhancing strength and movement.

Phase of Treatment

The duration of treatment phases varies based on several factors, including the client’s age, condition severity, underlying issues, and overall health. After the initial treatment phase, regular reviews are scheduled to monitor progress.

Transitioning to Spine Care

Even after the inflammation stage subsides, continued care and exercise are essential for spine health maintenance. Chiropractic adjustments offer not only pain relief but also proactive health management, akin to an MOT for your body’s optimal function.

Curious about Chiropractic Care? We’re here to assist you on your journey to wellness. Don’t let pain stop you from creating cherished memories with your family and friends. – live life to the fullest!