Chiropractic Treatment for Herniated Disc
Herniated disc can be a painful complication in the spine. There are many ways to treat a herniated disc, medications, therapies and surgeries. However, a chiropractic care aims to provide more than just treating the condition. Chiropractic care is a conservative form of treatment for disc injuries. In simple words, it is a natural treatment that does not exhibit the use of surgery, nor encourages medicinal use.
What is a Herniated Disc?
The disc acts as a shock absorber between each vertebra in the spinal cord. Discs stop the vertebrae from grinding, and without them, a spine does not function. A herniated disc is caused when the disc becomes damaged, displaced from its original position, or when it becomes less flexible.
What are the Symptoms?
Depending on the severity of the herniated disc, many symptoms can occur. Symptoms usually occur because of nerve irritation, caused by displacement of the inter-vertebral disc. Some common symptoms include;
Sharp and abrupt pain in the back
Muscular weakness and tingling
Numbness
Bower and bladder complications
What does a Chiropractic Treatment Involve?
The aim of chiropractic care is to treat the disc injury to promote overall health, as many health problems can arise from problems in the spine. The treatments involve manually aligning the spinal cord to reduce pain and promote a better posture.
A Herniated disc is treated by applying traction on the patient, while they are strapped on a table with a machine to make sure only the injured area experiences impact. This process is called spinal decompression therapy. The traction makes a vacuum between the disc, thus allowing the herniated disc to be moved back into its normal position. This process is rather slow with multiple treatments, but it ensures optimum range of motion and significantly reduces pain.
Another technique incorporated in chiropractic care, and a more common approach, is pelvic blocking. The patient goes through physical evaluation, laboratory analysis, and neurologic examinations to determine the areas of disc injury. After knowing the injured areas, a chiropractor uses special cushions placed under the pelvis of the patient, and gently performs hand manipulation for treatment.
A chiropractor addresses the whole body of a patient, rather than just the herniated disc. Chiropractic treatments incorporate therapies, nutrition plans, and exercise to ensure well being and to promote health. If you or a loved one is suffering from a herniated disc, a chiropractor can help.
