Approximately five to 20 per 1000 adults each year experience a herniated disc. The injury most often affects the lumbar spine, the lowest part of the spine. However, they can develop anywhere in the spine. Getting relief from this disc injury starts with choosing the right care and learning more about it.
Also referred to as intervertebral discs, spinal discs sit between the vertebrae in the spinal column. They are slightly pliable, making them excellent shock absorbers for the spine. They are also critical to the spine’s mobility and provide the nerves an opening to leave the spinal cord and service the body.
Disc herniation occurs in four stages. These stages include:
1. Disc Compression
Degenerative changes, trauma, and repetitive and extreme strain can compress the spinal discs. This results in tearing the annual fibers meant to keep the disc in its proper position. During this stage, the disc’s jelly-like center stays inside its structure, but it becomes irritated.
2. Bulging Disc
The annular fibers bulge further when a disc experiences constant loading and strain. This bulging can cause the spinal nerves to become aggravated and inflamed. At this point, the nucleus is still within the disc structure thanks to the outermost fibers keeping it in its place.
3. Disc Protrusion
The nucleus has a jelly-like substance that contains it. During this stage, the annulus fiber tears are significant, and in between these tears, the nucleus breaks out. The disc is starting to push on a spinal nerve. At this point, it is common to experience increased tingling, pain, and other symptoms.
4. Herniated Disc
At this stage, the annulus and nucleus are in the epidural space, squeezing most of the spinal nerve. While some doctors will recommend surgical intervention, chiropractors believe in a natural, non-invasive approach to restore disc health and spinal function.
$49 New Patient Special
Includes consultation, examination, x-Ray (if needed) & 1st chiropractic adjustment. This offer does not apply to federal beneficiaries, auto accident cases, workers’ compensation or if filing health insurance.
How Our Care Plan Works
1. Better
In the first phase of care, our priority is simple: help you feel better fast. We work to reduce pain, improve mobility, and support better sleep so your body can begin healing the right way. This is where we calm the irritation, begin restoring proper motion, and lay the foundation for lasting results — not just temporary relief.
2. Stronger
Once pain has decreased and mobility begins to return, we shift our focus to restoring proper function and stability. This phase is about correcting the underlying issues, rebuilding strength, and improving the way your spine and body move — so progress sticks. We work to help you return to the activities you love with confidence, not caution.
3. Healthier
It doesn’t make sense to get you better, just for it to all go bad again! We want you feeling and functioning your best for years to come. This phase ensures that you maintain all of the amazing progress you have made.
Common Symptoms of a Disc Injury In Cary, NC
A disc injury does not always cause symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they often depend on the location of the disc and how severe the disc injury is. In most cases, the symptoms only happen on one side of the body. The pain tends to worsen over time, and it can get worse.
Pain
Pain is one of the most common symptoms. The disc injury will determine the pain’s location. It can occur at the site of the injured disc as well as in the arms, hands, neck, and legs. The pain is often shooting, sharp, aching, or dull. Pain from a disc injury can worsen with different activity levels. Pain is the last symptom to appear and the first to go away, meaning that if you are experiencing herniation pain, the injury has likely been there for some time, perhaps causing nerve irritation and dysfunction in the body.
Muscle Spasms
The spinal nerves are under pressure from a herniated disc. This can result in muscle weakness. Muscle spasms can also occur with a disc injury. If the disc is in the lumbar spine, it may put pressure on the sciatic nerve. When this nerve is affected, you may experience pain running down the hip, leg, and buttocks.
Numbness and Tingling
With pressure on a nerve, several sensations can occur. These may include pins and needles, tingling, numbness, and burning. Stiffness can also occur with this type of injury. For example, if the disc is in your cervical spine, neck stiffness is not uncommon.
How We Treat Disc Injury in Cary, NC
We take a comprehensive approach to treating a disc injury, utilizing different steps and techniques to address your injury as it is unique to you and your total health.
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
The first step in chiropractic disc injury care is the consultation. Your chiropractor will evaluate the injury as well as your total health and medical history. This makes it easier to determine the best course of treatment based on your specific situation.
Specific Chiropractic Care in Cary, NC
Chiropractic care for a disc injury is advantageous for a variety of reasons. The first is that it is non-invasive. A chiropractor can help people with disc injuries without requiring injections or surgical intervention.
Chiropractors do not treat this issue with controlled substances. We use a variety of other techniques to help control the symptoms and heal the injury instead of just masking it with medications.
We take a holistic approach to disc injury. Instead of just looking at this injury, we evaluate your whole body. Our comprehensive evaluation makes it possible to offer advice on lifestyle factors that treat the whole person while helping with the chief concern. You can start feeling better at your own pace.
This type of care goes straight to the root of the problem. We can help the disc material return to its proper position and correct subluxation via a chiropractic adjustment.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
It is crucial to strengthen the muscles surrounding the spine to prevent a disc injury from occurring again in the future. Exercise also helps to promote better mobility. We will design your exercise plan based on the results of your evaluation to address your specific needs.
Spinal Decompression
When a disc herniates and is outside its proper position, this treatment helps it naturally return to its proper position. Decompression also promotes better nerve function by increasing joint spacing. This treatment uses gentle stretches directed at the spine.
Deep Tissue Laser
It takes time to heal this type of injury, but this treatment may help to accelerate the process. It allows for light energy to reach the damaged tissue through deep penetration. This helps to increase healing and reduce inflammation. Each session usually only takes approximately three to five minutes. This treatment can be combined with others to promote healing and relief from your symptoms.
Common Causes of Disc Injury in Cary, NC
There are several ways to experience a disc injury. Knowing the potential causes may help you to reduce your risk.
Repetitive Motion and Stress
If your repetitive movements put frequent strain on any of your spinal discs, this could result in wear and tear on those discs. For example, if you work a job that often requires you to be bent over or make awkward movements affecting your core, this could cause stress that could affect the spinal discs over time.
Heavy Lifting
Physiological changes can start to occur with heavy lifting. This can increase the speed at which the discs become damaged. Over time, this could cause injury and result in disc herniation.
Auto Accidents
When an auto accident occurs, a sudden impact on the spine is possible, and this can result in a disc injury. This type of accident can cause annular tears, bulging discs, and herniated discs, depending on the severity of the impact.
Degenerative Disc Disease
This common condition is characterized by the discs losing strength due to wear and tear. It can occur as the result of getting older or due to overuse or an injury. The discs are unable to repair themselves once the disc is damaged. While any disc in the spine can be affected, it most often affects the lower back and the neck.
Respiratory Illness
It is possible to experience a disc injury due to sneezing and coughing. When you are sneezing or coughing, this can increase pressure on the spine, which can result in leaking or rupture. Sneezing and coughing can also strain the back and increase the risk of a disc injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a disc herniation to heal?
The herniated disc’s location and severity determine how long it takes this disc injury to heal. However, the average time for healing is four to six weeks. However, some literature says it can take up to 22 weeks, especially if you continue to do things that put stress on the injured disc. In most cases, surgery is not necessary. You can utilize noninvasive measures to promote disc healing and manage your symptoms.
What should you not do with a herniated disc?
Healing a herniated disc can be a delicate balance regarding what to do and not do during the recovery process. While some rest is important when healing, you should limit it to the first two days. After this, you want to be cautiously active. It is also important to make sure you are not sitting too much, and when you are sitting, ensure that you are using proper posture and that your spine has adequate support.
Bending over can aggravate the injury and cause further pain. Make sure to avoid activities that require bending. You should also avoid stretching your back too much.
Adjusting your sleeping position can help to reduce your pain and promote healing. Sleep on the opposite side of your pain. You should also put a pillow under your lower legs. Adding some lumbar support is ideal if you sleep on your back.
You can gently exercise as you are healing, but there are some exercises that you should avoid, including:
- Sit-ups
- Twisting exercises
- Deadlifts
- Hamstring stretches
- Running
- Contact sports
Can a chiropractor fix a pinched nerve?
Pinched nerves can be very painful, but there are ways that chiropractic care can help to alleviate the pain. A chiropractic adjustment can help to reduce pressure on the nerve so that it can heal. With adjustments, you can improve your mobility and alleviate your pain.
In addition, your chiropractor can help you with things like creating an ergonomic workstation and using proper posture to reduce pain and your risk of another pinched nerve in the future. They may also help you create an exercise plan to help with your pain.
What does a slipped disc feel like?
Pain is the most common symptom, and it can affect the extremities associated with the nerves the injured disc is irritating. Certain movements can increase pain. You might notice that it is worse at night. The pain can increase when you sit or stand for prolonged periods.
$49 New Patient Special
Includes consultation, examination, x-Ray (if needed) & 1st chiropractic adjustment. This offer does not apply to federal beneficiaries, auto accident cases, workers’ compensation or if filing health insurance.