4 Important Things To Understand About A Herniated Disc And Chiropractic Care

A herniated disc is a common injury that people seek out chiropractic care for. With a herniated disc, early treatment is important, as is a basic understanding of what your herniated disc is and how to treat it.

What Happens Inside Your Body

When you experience a herniated disc, the outer portion of a vertebral disc has been torn. When this outer portion is torn, the inner part of the disc then protrudes outward through the tear. When the disc is protruding outward, it can also compress the nearby nerves, making the situation more serious. A herniated disc is also often referred to as a slipped disc or a ruptured disc.

What Makes This Happen

There are a few different reasons why one may experience a herniated disc. This can happen due to a physically demanding job that puts a lot of stress on your back. If you improperly lift things, you can easily damage your back.

You may also experience a herniated disc due to genetics or aging. As you get older, your back becomes less flexible and the natural moisture that protects the discs in your back decreases. This can result in damage without you having to do a lot to strain your back.

How You Know You Have a Herniated Disc

Some people experience a herniated disc and never actually know it, and their body heals naturally. For other people, though, this condition can bring along with it intense pain.

The pain you feel depends on where the disc is in your back. If the disc is located in your lower back, you may experience pain in your calves, thighs, hips, and even your buttocks. The pain will extend across your lower body. If the disc is located in your upper back, you may experience pain in your neck, your shoulders, and even your arms. You may also experience numbness or weakness in your shoulders, arms, and neck area.

How a Chiropractor Helps

If you think you have a herniated disc, it is important to get help right away. One of the health care professionals who is best able to assist with this situation is a chiropractor. A chiropractor can take X-rays of your back to get a full picture of the situation. They will also use hands-on techniques to figure out what is wrong with your back.

Once they figure out what disc is damaged, they will engage in spinal manipulation to help get your disc back to where it should be. They will use manual therapy to help improve your back, as well as specific chiropractic tools. It can take a while to heal your back from this condition, and your chiropractor will come up with a treatment plan to get your back into good condition. This treatment plan will more than likely include therapeutic exercises for you to do on your own to improve your situation.

In most cases, your chiropractor will be able to help heal your back. If, for some reason, the situation is more serious, your chiropractor will recommend additional healthcare professionals who can help with your care.

When caught in the early stages, a chiropractor can help you heal from your herniated disc without further medical intervention or pain medication. Your chiropractor will also let you know if they think you need more advanced care.

To learn more, contact a chiropractor.

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