While only about 4% of back cases are attributed to a herniated disc, the sharp, shooting pain that occurs in the back or neck can be hard to ignore. It can interfere with your daily functioning and enjoyment, significantly impacting your overall quality of life.
Fortunately, your Montrose chiropractor can help you overcome symptoms caused by a herniated disc. So, what should you know? How can chiropractic care help? Let’s take a look!
What is a Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc, also known as a slipped or ruptured disc, occurs when the soft, gel-like center of an intervertebral disc pushes through a tear in the disc’s outer layer. This can happen due to:
- Sudden injury or trauma
- Repetitive strain or overuse
- Natural aging and degeneration
- Poor posture or lifting techniques
When a disc herniates, it can put pressure on nearby nerves, causing symptoms such as:
- Sharp, shooting pain in the back, neck, arms, or legs
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected area
- Muscle spasms or tightness
- Difficulty moving or bending
Inevitably, this can impact your life in more than a few ways. It can make it difficult to walk, put on your shoes, and more. Yet, chiropractic care offers an all-natural approach to help relieve your pain (more on this below).
How Can Chiropractic Care Help?
Chiropractors are experts in the musculoskeletal system and can provide a variety of treatments to help alleviate herniated disc symptoms. The goal of chiropractic care is to reduce pain, improve function, and promote healing.
Some of the ways your Montrose chiropractor can help include spinal adjustments, spinal decompression therapy, lifestyle advice, and more. Spinal adjustments are gentle, precise manipulations of the spine can help reduce pressure on the herniated disc and surrounding nerves, relieving pain and improving mobility. Meanwhile, non-surgical spinal decompression gently stretches the spine, creating negative pressure within the discs and allowing herniated material to return to its normal position.
On top of the above, chiropractors can provide guidance on lifestyle modifications, such as maintaining good posture, using proper lifting techniques, and adopting a healthy diet and exercise routine to help manage your herniated disc symptoms and prevent future episodes. They may also employ other modalities, like soft tissue techniques.
Do you suspect you have a herniated disc? At New Life Chiropractic, our team is ready to help. Our experienced chiropractors will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and goals, helping you achieve optimal spinal health and wellness. Book your appointment today!
