- Back Injury
Are you experiencing pain down your legs, starting from your buttocks? If you feel any numbing sensation or pain in your lower back, you are likely suffering from a herniated disc. Vertebrae discs are a small but integral part of your spine that can cause much pain when injured. It is a severe problem that can worsen over time if ignored.
An untreated herniated disc can cause chronic pain, paralysis where the spinal cord is damaged, or disability. This injury can occur in the part of the spine, which includes the neck, lower back, and mid-back. Surgery is usually recommended when a herniated disc causes weakness and nerve impingement.
Failure to get proper treatment for this pain can lead to adverse effects. Therefore, it is advisable to get prompt medical care to achieve the best result. If you experience pain from a herniated or bulging disc, chiropractic care at Injury Medicine is a great non-invasive option to treat and grant you relief from back pain.
If you would like to know what you should do after a spinal cord injury, view this page
What Is a Herniated Disc?
The spine consists of bones known as the vertebrae, which stretch from the base of the skull to the sacrum. A disc is a fluid-filled circular structure located between your vertebrae in the spine. It serves as a cushion that separates the bones of the spine. Its role is to provide shock absorption and protect the spine from injuries. It also helps distribute motion to increase flexibility and range of movement.
Herniation means protruding through an abnormal body opening. Pressure forces out of the disc, and as a result, the vertebrae disc can rupture, herniate or bulge when you make an improper movement or suffer an injury. When this occurs, your vertebrae get pushed into the spinal canal, making it compress, exert pressure, or irritate your spinal cord.
This type of spinal injury can affect the nerve and cause extreme discomfort. When left untreated, it can result in serious complications such as:
- Paralysis below the waist
- Excess or restricted bladder function
- Severe pain in the lower back
- Hyper reflexivity in your legs, etc.
Common causes of a herniated disc include:
- Injuries
- Wear and tear
- Poor posture
- Stress
- Obesity
- Repeated sport accidents
- Repetitive movements
- Genetics
- Lifting heavy weights, etc.
You cannot receive adequate treatment until you get an accurate diagnosis, as some of these causes result in other medical conditions. Therefore, your doctor will conduct tests to arrive at a diagnosis and prescribe your best course of treatment.
Symptoms of Herniated Disc After a Car Accident
A herniated disc can occur instantly due to several factors. The symptoms you experience from a ruptured disc depend on the injury location along the spine. These symptoms tend to get worse with movement. We strongly recommend contacting a Greenville injury care center once you start feeling pain.
You can suffer a herniated from a car accident. In such a case, you will experience the following symptoms:
- Chronic pain in the neck, lower back, and upper back
- Numbness
- Inflammation
- Stiffness along the spine
- Tingling sensation in the legs
- Muscle weakness
- Pain between the shoulder blade
- Difficulty moving or stretching
- Severe leg pain, etc.
Testing and Treatment Options for Herniated Disc
If you experience symptoms of a herniated disc, you will likely undergo a physical examination. A licensed chiropractor will assess your condition using the following forms of diagnostic imaging tests:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- X-rays
- CT Scans (Computerized Tomography)
- Myelography
- Electromyogram (EMG)
Patients may attempt to treat their symptoms of a bulging or slipped disc at home. If symptoms do not improve, they consider advanced treatment. The most common treatment people opt for is surgery.
However, this may not be the best outcome.
Chiropractic care is a better option than surgical intervention. It is a non-invasive treatment option that involves spinal manipulation. In addition, it is a less expensive way to relieve your pain.
Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment for Herniated Discs
Chiropractic care entails using hands-on spinal manipulation and other alternative treatments. Proper alignment of the body’s musculoskeletal structure enables it to heal itself without surgery or medication.
Chiropractic treatment effectively resolves pain in muscles, joints, bones, tendons, ligaments, etc. It is also effective in resolving herniated or bulging discs. So, aside from alleviating your discomfort, it promotes health and improves your quality of life.
To perform an adjustment, the chiropractor will use their hands to apply force on the affected joints, guiding them through a range of motions and restoring natural movements.
Key benefits of chiropractic treatment for a herniated disc include the following.
It is a Non-Invasive Procedure
Chiropractic treatment for a herniated disc benefits patients who want a non-invasive procedure. The treatment corrects the position of the bulging disc without subjecting you to unnecessary pain and discomfort. It also reduces inflammation, numbness, and irritation. In addition, it poses little or no risk to you.
Whole Body Approach to Wellness
With chiropractic adjustments, your whole spine is treated and not just the affected area. In addition, the chiropractor will provide self-care direction, nutritional recommendations, exercise tips, etc.
It Prevents Further Relapses
As already stated, a herniated disc results from various factors, including poor posture. If there is no change in your lifestyle and activities, the problem may reoccur in the future.
With chiropractic treatment, the root cause of the problem is identified and corrected. Also, the chiropractor will teach you the correct posture to maintain and guide you on an appropriate lifestyle to prevent a relapse.
Improved Mobility Without Medication
Many patients are opposed to medications and drugs, so they prefer not to rely on painkillers daily. In addition, a herniated disc is associated with pain, and most patients cannot bear the pain, making them resort to chiropractic procedures.
In addition, prescription medication can be addictive and have side effects if used over a long period. With chiropractic care, your pain is alleviated, and your mobility is improved.
It is a Safe Method for Managing Herniated Disc
Again, a ruptured disc occurs when a disc protrudes out of the spine. Spinal adjustment can help in managing this condition. It does not matter what the cause is; chiropractic care will offer relief from severe pain. Note that it is a misconception that chiropractic adjustments will cause more damage and aggravate the issue.
Visit Our Greenville Injury Treatment Center to Recieve Treatment for Herniated Discs
Herniated discs can result in chronic pain that can alter the cause of one’s life. The doctors at Injury Medicine have extensive years of experience treating patients with herniated discs.
We prioritize your safety, health, and well-being above everything else. In addition, we provide cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to alleviate your pain. So stop searching for an injury center near me and book an appointment with us today.
