Effective Chiropractic Techniques for Managing Herniated Discs

Have you been suffering from neck or back pain that just won’t go away? If so, there’s a good chance you’ve got a herniated disc. It occurs when the core or nucleus inside your spinal discs protrudes from the bone, often putting pressure on a nerve. 

Up to 2% of adults suffer from herniated discs annually. Fortunately, herniated discs improve over time, and surgery isn’t necessary. But if you want to recover faster, consider getting natural herniated disc treatment promptly. Let’s discuss some tried-and-tested chiropractic techniques for herniated discs that can help you manage their symptoms.

Causes and Symptoms of Herniated Discs

Knowing what triggers herniated discs and how they manifest in the body will help you better understand how chiropractic care can help with herniated disc pain relief.

Causes

Disc herniation is most common among people aged 30 to 50 and rarely occurs in children. As such, age is a common reason people suddenly acquire it. Repetitive motions, such as working in a factory assembly line and carrying heavy weights with improper form or technique, also trigger it. 

Other causes include the following:

• Sitting for long periods without shifting positions
• Excess weight or obesity
• Repetitive bending or twisting
• Whiplash or a sudden jerk of your back or neck

Symptoms

Not all herniated discs show symptoms. They only appear if the hernia pushes against a nerve, which manifests at least one of these signs:

• Pain: A herniated disc in your lower back causes pain in your back, legs, and feet. Meanwhile, one in your neck triggers pain in your shoulders, hands, fingers, and neck. The pain worsens when you bend or twist your back or neck.
• Tingling and Numbness: The hernia could push against and irritate a nerve or your spinal cord, sending tingling sensations and numbness in the affected limb or body part. 
• Muscle Weakness: Likewise, abnormal pressure on your spinal cord and its connected nerve roots interferes with their ability to control your muscles. In effect, your arms or legs might feel weak or limp.

Chiropractic Techniques for Herniated Discs

Thankfully, herniated discs heal on their own, although it typically takes six months. So, consider getting chiropractic help to hasten the process. Let’s talk about a few techniques professionals use to manage herniated discs.

Spinal Adjustments for Pain Relief

Since herniated discs are spinal problems, adjustments to the vertebra can encourage recovery. This technique involves your chiropractor using sudden but controlled thrusts on the affected part of your spine to minimize the hernia's pressure on your spinal cord and nerves. The afflicted nerves become less irritated, reducing pain and discomfort.

Spinal Decompression Therapy

This herniated disc treatment gently stretches your spine to relieve stress on your spinal discs by exerting negative pressure. The goal is to stimulate hernias to retract and remove the pressure on your nerves, enabling you to move more comfortably. 

Chiropractors perform spinal decompression therapy by placing you on your back and wrapping harnesses around your torso and waist. Then, a mechanical device pulls on the harnesses from opposite directions, gradually stretching your spine.

Soft Tissue Therapy and Muscle Strengthening

Soft tissue therapy is one of the most common chiropractic treatments for herniated discs. It consists of massages, mobilizations, and stretches to reduce pain, numbness, and weakness. Soft tissue therapy loosens your muscles, which, in turn, improves blood flow to speed up your recovery. 

Most treatments also leverage strengthening exercises to make your core more rigid and capable of supporting your spine, relieving it of unnecessary pressure.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Herniated Discs

Many other treatments can help you recover from a herniated disc. So, what makes chiropractic care an ideal choice for your problem?

Nonsurgical Approach to Recovery

The best thing about chiropractic treatments is that you don’t have to go under the knife. They are 100% noninvasive, so you can heal without worrying about the complications associated with surgery. They are also drug-free. Rest easy, knowing the painful and uncomfortable symptoms of herniated discs will gradually vanish without any side effects.

Personalized Treatment Plans

Chiropractic care doesn’t operate on a one-size-fits-all basis. Each body is different, and so are the treatments that help alleviate your symptoms. Your chiropractor will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique condition, ensuring you recover quickly and comfortably.

Prevention of Future Injuries

The benefits of chiropractic care go beyond treating your herniated discs. It also prevents further injuries by teaching you the importance of proper posture and exercise. For example, if you regularly lift heavy weights, your chiropractor can teach you proper lifting techniques to minimize injuries and prevent herniation.

Keep Your Spinal Discs in Check with Allied Pain and Wellness

The chiropractic techniques for herniated discs we’ve discussed have helped countless injured people recover through comprehensive and individualized care—and they can do the same for you. If you think you’re suffering from a herniated disc, don’t hesitate to reach out to a chiropractor near you.

Fortunately, if you’re in Burbank, CA, you don’t have to look far. Allied Pain and Wellness has extensive experience treating people with herniated discs and other injuries. Early intervention is crucial to your quick recovery, so reach out to our team ASAP for the professional treatment you deserve.

Request an appointment with us today!