There is no denying that a herniated disc is going to adversely affect your quality of life. It will certainly eliminate your ability to handle certain physical tasks and enjoy many physical activities. That’s not to neglect the real possibility that herniated discs can cause significant pain issues related to pinched nerves and muscle tension.

When you encounter physical problems, the best solutions are almost always the least invasive solutions. With a herniated disc issue, your treatment options will likely come down to either a series of chiropractic treatments or surgery. Clearly, chiropractic treatments would be the least invasive option because it comes with substantially less risk.

In the sections below, the information is going to focus on the circumstances under which chiropractic care could help with a herniated disc.

What is a Herniated Disc?

In order to understand the circumstances under which chiropractic care might be the right call, it seems defining the term herniated disc makes good sense.

In between each set of vertebrae in the spine is something referred to as a “disc.” The disc is made of a tough outer disc layer called the “annulus fibrosis.” Inside the annulus fibrosis is a gel-like substance called the nucleus pulposus.

When the outer layer starts giving way, the gel-like substance will begin to leak out. This is often called a “slipped disc” or herniated disc. As the disc herniates, it diminishes the cushioning between the vertebrae, which usually results in the vertebrae shifting about and or compressing and pinching nerves in the process. That’s the source of pain that a herniated disc will usually cause.

When does Chiropractic Care Help with a Herniated Disc?

If you are experiencing back or neck pain, something is obviously wrong. Before you can decide on the proper solution, you will need to get a full and proper diagnosis. While you should probably do that with your primary healthcare physician, you could also get a diagnosis from a licensed chiropractor.

The diagnosis process will entail you getting a full set of X-rays up and down your spine from neck to pelvis. If anything were to seem out of the ordinary, you might have to also submit to an MRI.

Assuming you get a diagnosis of a herniated disc, your best option would be to start by allowing your chiropractor to determine if they have a suitable treatment option. If they don’t, they will likely refer you to a neural specialist or a spine surgeon/neurosurgeon. Hopefully, your chiropractor will have a non-invasive way to treat your herniated disc so you can avoid the more invasive options.

To better understand when chiropractic care is the right call, it’s easier to identify the circumstances under which chiropractic care might not be the right call.

With that said, here are the circumstances under which your chiropractor might refer you elsewhere:

  • Your nerves and reflexes are not reacting correctly
  • You have experienced a significant amount of strength loss or muscle deterioration
  • There is a loss of sensation/feeling along the path of a given nerve
  • Your spine is showing signs of significant deformity
  • You have an additional diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome, which is defined as losing control of your bowel/bladder due to spinal injury

Should any of these circumstances exist, a responsible chiropractor would likely refer you to a neurologist or a spine surgeon? Otherwise, your chiropractor should have a treatment option at their disposal that would give you the pain relief you need.

Chiropractic Treatment Options for a Herniated Disc

If your herniated disc issue or issues can be addressed by a chiropractor, that’s good news. You should get the pain relief your need with very little risk. FYI: here are some of the herniated disc treatment options upon which your chiropractor might choose.

Spinal Manipulation – This would be the traditional option, which would require your chiropractors to make the necessary manual spinal adjustments with firm pressure at key points along your spine.

Therapeutic Exercises – The chiropractor would assign you a set of exercises that would focus on certain muscles and portions of your spine. Normally, these would be strengthening exercises.

Flexion-distraction Technique – This is a spine-stretching technique that the chiropractor will initiate by asking you to lie on a specially designed table, allowing the spine to stretch naturally.

Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA) – This would be the option of choice if your chiropractor felt the needed manual spine manipulation could produce pain and discomfort. They would use an anesthesia called twilight, which produces a light sleep that lasts only a few minutes.

Pelvic Blocking Techniques – Using cushioned wedges placed under each side of your pelvis, your chiropractor would initiate gentle movements that are designed to draw a disc away from a pinched nerve.

About Our Founder Dr. Tony Brooks

Dr. Tony Brooks is a former Army Ranger and best-selling author of “LEAVE NO MAN BEHIND.” He attended the University of Western States for his doctor of chiropractic degree and the University of Southern California for his undergraduate degree in Biology. Some of the ancillary credentials he has include the following:

  • Advanced Certified in Whiplash and Brain Injury Traumatology by the Spinal Research Institute of San Diego.
  • Pediatric and Perinatal care/ Webster Certified by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association
  • Level 3 Medical by Titleist Performance Institute to treat all levels of golfers

If you would like more information about the value of regular chiropractic treatment and our services, you can contact Freedom Chiropractic by phone at (936) 756-3747 or by filling out our online form.