Disc Herniation Treatment

How do you treat a herniated disc? Many people find relief from the pain and discomfort of herniated discs using chiropractic treatment right here in Conroe, Texas after meeting the Freedom Chiropractic team. Our clinic is committed to helping our patients get relief, heal disc pain at the source, and prevent future disc pain. Herniated discs can sometimes be difficult to diagnose because this condition can produce a range of symptoms. That’s because your symptoms can vary based on the location of the herniated disc. In addition, your pain experience can be different if a herniated disc is pressing on a nerve.

Here’s a look at some of the classic herniated disc symptoms:

• Arm pain.
• Shoulder pain.
• Leg pain.
• Pain in the lower back, buttocks, thigh, calf, and foot.
• Neck pain.
• Numbness and tingling.
• Muscle weakness.

A herniated disc tends to create symptoms on one side of the body. While most people associate herniated disc pain with back pain, it’s very likely that you’ll experience most of your pain in your shoulder and arm if the herniated disc is located in the neck. A telltale sign that you have a herniated disc in the neck is that you’ll get a shooting pain whenever you sneeze, laugh, cough, or move into certain positions. It’s also fairly common for muscles served by the affected nerve in any part of your back to become weak when you have a herniated disc. People generally describe herniated disc pain as a sharp, shooting pain. However, it’s actually possible to have a herniated disc without experiencing any symptoms at all.

It’s not always easy to predict who will have a herniated disc. Disc herniation is often a gradual process tied to disc degeneration caused by everyday wear and tear. While you can have a herniated disc at any age, the truth is that age is definitely a factor in why many people develop this issue. Our discs become less flexible as we age. As a result, they become more vulnerable to rupturing or tearing. In fact, even very minor twists and strains can produce disc herniations. Many people get disc herniations from such “gentle” movements that they have no recollection of the injury. However, it’s still more common to experience a “moment” when it becomes clear that you have just herniated a disc. We typically see this when a person is lifting a heavy object, making a twisting motion while moving a heavy object, falling, or sustaining a blow to the back.

While anyone can get a disc herniation, there are some lifestyle factors that can certainly boost your odds of getting one. The first risk factor is excess body weight. Excess weight puts stress on the discs in the lower back. As a result, you’re more likely to experience a disc herniation with every movement.

If you have a job or hobby that requires repetitive movements, you are at higher risk for a herniated disc. Motions like bending, twisting, lifting, pushing, and pulling all put you at risk. The risk is also higher if you drive for long periods of time due to your job. The combination of sitting for long periods of time with the vibration of a vehicle’s engine actually places lots of pressure on the spine. While you may not feel uncomfortable while driving, your spine is absorbing all of the pressure on a constant basis. Being sedentary even when you’re not driving can also increase your risk for a herniated disc simply because the pressure that sitting places on your spine can cause discs to wear out prematurely.

There’s also some evidence that smoking can put you at risk for disc herniations. What’s the connection? The thought is that smoking actually cuts off the oxygen supply to spinal discs. The lack of oxygen robs the discs of key nutrients needed to avoid degradation. Finally, it’s actually possible to inherit a genetic -predisposition for developing herniated discs. Knowing the risk factors for herniated discs can help you to make some lifestyle changes that can potentially cut your risks.

Some tips for avoiding herniated discs include:

• Regular exercise. Exercises that help to strengthen trunk muscles to support the spine are highly recommended.
• Try to maintain good posture to reduce the pressure on your spine.
• Always lift heavy objects with your legs instead of your back.
• Try to maintain a healthy weight.
• Quit smoking.

If you have questions about everything from how to maintain proper posture to choosing good exercises to strengthen your core, seeing a chiropractor can be a good idea. The truth is that most people are never instructed on what good posture should look like when you’re standing, sitting at a desk, lifting heavy objects, sleeping, or working out. A chiropractor can instruct you on how good posture should look and feel.

First, your chiropractor will carefully assess the situation to locate your disc herniation. This will include a visual assessment, a manual assessment, and a discussion regarding your symptoms. Putting pressure on the herniated disc is considered the default approach for treating this issue. Techniques that include stretching and traction can help to open the space between the impacted vertebrae. Chiropractors may also use the flexion-distraction technique, manipulation under anesthesia (MUA), or pelvis blocking.

Freedom Chiropractic offers treatment for herniated discs at our cutting-edge clinic in Conroe, Texas. Our team is capable of assessing you for disc herniations to help you determine the source of your symptoms. Next, we’ll help you to get relief from a disc herniation to be able to resume your life without pain and restriction. Call Freedom Chiropractic today!