Herniated Disc

When you come to our Health & Wellness Chiropractic Center for a herniated disk, you’ll be evaluated by our multidisciplinary team of specialists who will work with you to determine a personalized treatment plan. Our goal is to offer the most advanced and least invasive treatment to help improve your quality of life.

What is a Herniated Disc?

The bones that form the spine, or vertebrae, are cushioned by small, spongy discs. When these discs are healthy, they act as shock absorbers for the spine and enable the body to bend, twist, and move freely.

When a disc is damaged it may bulge or break open, which is known as a herniated disc. This condition usually occurs in the lower back, but it can also be present in the neck and thoracic area (mid-back). The bulge can press on nearby nerve roots, causing pain, numbness, and weakness in the area of the body where the nerve travels.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a herniated disc depend on the location of the disc and severity of the rupture. While some herniated discs cause no symptoms, many patients experience symptoms such as:

1. Severe back, leg or arm pain, depending on whether the impacted nerve is in the lower back or neck.
2. Numbness or tingling that radiates in the area of the body served by the affected nerve.
3. Weakness in the area of the body served by the affected nerve.
4. In severe cases, loss of bowel or bladder control.

Diagnosis

Our collaborative team begins by conducting a complete medical history and physical exam to identify the source of your back pain, followed by advanced testing that may include imaging tools such as X-ray, CT scan, or MRI.

Additional diagnostic tools may involve a Myelogram, a nerve conduction study, and Electromyography to further evaluate the condition.

Treatment

Conservative treatment for a herniated disc often starts with physical therapy and may include occupational therapy, pain management techniques such as anti-inflammatory and pain medications, muscle relaxers, and steroid injections.

Traditional medicine combined with holistic therapies such as yoga, healing touch, and acupuncture are also considered.

When symptoms do not improve with conservative treatment or if symptoms worsen, surgical options like Laminectomy, Spinal Fusion, and Discectomy may be recommended.

Contact Us

You're about to make an important decision, and we want to help you make a good one. Our staff will be glad to talk with you about your options and how we can help. Please visit our Make an Appointment page for more information.