Spinal disc herniation can be a painful and disruptive condition, especially if you are typically very active throughout the day. This pain can pull you away from your favorite activities. If you’ve been experiencing this pain for a while, you may begin considering your treatment options, including surgery.
However, you may be weary of seeking surgery before it is absolutely necessary. In many cases, patients would prefer to try non-invasive treatment options first. One great, non-invasive option for treating spinal disc herniation is chiropractic treatment. This treatment can provide much-needed relief, making it the perfect first step in recovery.
If you’re dealing with spinal disc herniation and would like to learn more about how a chiropractor can help you recover, keep reading.
What is Spinal Disc Herniation?
Your spinal discs are the rubbery cushions between your vertebrae, the bones that make up your spine. The center of your discs, also called the nucleus, is soft and jelly-like, while the exterior, or annulus, is tough and rubbery. Spinal disc herniation, also known as a herniated disc, is an injury that occurs when the nucleus pushes through a tear in the annulus.
While this injury can occur in any part of the spine, most patients experience spinal disc herniation in their lower back. This herniation may occur for various reasons, including age-related wear and tear, improper lifting techniques, and injury. If you believe you have a herniated disc, there are a few symptoms you may experience, including:
- Numbness or tingling in surrounding tissue, arms, legs, and feet
- Sharp, radiating pain in your legs, reminiscent of Sciatica
- Shooting pain in your lower back
- Muscle weakness
However, it is important to note that you can experience spinal disc herniation without experiencing any of these symptoms. Some patients may not realize they have a herniated disc until they get spinal imaging to treat other injuries.
Can a Chiropractor Help?
There are many treatment options for patients experiencing spinal disc herniation. If you are looking to try a non-invasive treatment option before considering surgery, you may consider turning to a chiropractor for support. Chiropractic treatment focuses on the body’s ability to heal itself, making it a great first step on your recovery journey.
There are a few treatments your chiropractor may recommend to help heal your herniated disc, including:
- Spinal Adjustments: One of the first recommendations your chiropractor will make when suggesting treatment for your herniated disc is spinal adjustments. They will perform gentle adjustments to realign your spine and relieve any pressure on your discs. These adjustments should help alleviate the pain you’re experiencing.
- Advanced Muscle Integration Technique: AMIT treats many common joint and muscle conditions. It addresses muscle weakness surrounding your joints, which may lead to joint instability and injury. By strengthening the muscles around your spine, you can better support your vertebrae, treating your herniation and preventing it from recurring.
- Ergonomic Education: In addition to their in-office treatments, your chiropractor may make ergonomic recommendations, including adjustments to your posture and lifting techniques that can help you prevent repeat injury.
- Exercise Programs: Your chiropractor will provide you with a list of exercises to perform at home. These exercises will complement the treatments they provide in the office, helping to support muscle growth and healing as you recover. They will also help to stabilize your back, preventing future issues.
How Long is Treatment for Herniated Discs?
If you are experiencing spinal disc herniation, you may worry that it will take months for you to begin experiencing relief. Treatment time can vary when you rely on chiropractic treatment to remedy your herniated disc. However, most chiropractic patients find they experience relief from their discomfort two to four weeks after beginning treatment.
Patients with more severe spinal disc herniation may find that it takes longer to achieve this relief. If you want to ensure complete healing from this injury, it is essential that you follow your Chiropractor’s recommended treatment plan. They will monitor your healing and make adjustments as necessary to ensure you get the most out of this treatment, allowing you to feel better as soon as possible.
However, knowing when to seek emergency medical attention when dealing with a herniated disc is important. If you are currently seeking treatment and the symptoms are worsening, you’re experiencing incontinence, trouble urinating, or saddle anesthesia, you should reach out to a doctor as soon as possible.
Seeking treatment immediately following these symptoms can prevent permanent damage or paralysis. In some cases, this may mean you’ll need emergency surgery. While this can be daunting, it is essential for protecting yourself from much more significant injury.
Helping You Recover from a Back Injury
Recovering from a spinal disc injury can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to require surgery or long-term medication use. Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive approach to relieving pain, restoring mobility, and supporting overall spinal health. By addressing the root symptoms, you can get back to living a pain-free life.
If you’re looking for a chiropractic team in the Tooele, Utah, area to help you recover from your disc injury, turn to our team at Muscle & Joint Chiropractic. With years of experience and a more personalized, hands-on approach, we’re confident that our team can help you alleviate pain and begin your journey toward a healthier back.
If you want to learn more about our chiropractic treatments or schedule an appointment, contact our team today.