Chiropractor for Herniated Disc for St. Albert
Herniated discs, also referred as bulging, ruptured or slipped discs, are a common problem that we deal with. As back pain specialists, we have helped many people in St. Albert regain their lives that have been debilitated by this all too common problem.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
In between each vertebrae of the spine there is a disc shaped cushion made up of sheets of collagen fibers and mucoprotein gel. These discs are what allow you to freely move and bend your spine without pain. Without them, the bones of the spine would grind against each other with every movement, causing intense pain.
A herniated disc means that the disc has been damaged and often results in pressure on the nerves of the spine. This happens largely due to general wear and age known as disc degeneration. Though occasionally, trauma like lifting something heavy or turning while holding something heavy can result in a disc issue. Those who are most susceptible to a slipped disc are people who are overweight, have physically demanding jobs or who have a family history of the issue.
Herniated Disc Symptoms
As a herniated disc affects the nerves, the most common symptoms are:
Numbness:
Pain in the Arms and Legs: Pain can shoot down into different parts of the leg (with a lower back hernia) or the shoulders or arm (with a neck hernia). The pain often becomes most intense after a sneeze, cough, or specific spinal positions.
Weakness: Nerves directly relate to the amount of strength a person has in their body. As such, a common symptom is weak muscles along the pathway of the affected nerve. This can cause patients to stumble or be unable to lift or hold heavy objects.
Nothing: Sometimes discs are damaged but do not come in contact or irritate the nerve pathways. It is not uncommon for a chiropractor or other back pain specialist to discover a disc issue that is unknown to the patient.
Chiropractic Herniated Disc Treatment
Chiropractic treatment is one of the most effective ways to deal with a bulging disc. A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiologic Therapeutics found that 90% of patients had very positive results from chiropractic treatment.
The chiropractor will start off by performing a thorough examination and take your medical history. After being diagnosed you will be informed whether chiropractic care is the right course of action for your particular situation.
If treatment will be useful, adjustments will be made to the spine to relieve pressure and tension in the back which also helps blood flow and the healing process. There will also be information given on what the patient can do at their St. Albert home to improve their range of motion, reduce pain and decrease pressure on the nerves.
Herniated Disc Relief
For more information on how the chiropractors at Restoration Chiropractic can help those in St. Albert suffering from a herniated disc, contact us today.