Chiropractic Relieves Disc Herniation Pain
By Chris Brown
Feeling the scary sharp pain of a herniated disc when lifting a heavy object can mean months of pain, medications, and maybe even surgery. Preventing future herniations and finding less medicative methods of treatment can immediately become a top priority. The chronic pain of herniated disc sufferers can become demoralizing and greatly impact their quality of life. Fortunately, there is a medication-free treatment with a proven record of improving symptoms and recovery. Chiropractic can take the pain from your back and correct spinal dysfunctions before they become future herniations.
How Disc Herniations Occur
Disc herniations occur when either too much strain is placed upon the spine at once (the reason not to lift heavy objects with your back) or the disc itself has degenerated with age. When a herniation happens, the inner part of the disc (the cushion between spinal bones) ruptures through its outer shell. This can cause extreme pain as herniated discs often hit nerves. Additionally, spinal movement can be made impossible until the herniation is resolved, as discs are required for spinal flexion.
Mainstream Treatment for Disc Herniations
Traditionally, the first steps for a mild herniation is to have a patient decrease activity and take anti-inflammatory medications. Once inflammation subsides, the body naturally starts to recover from the herniated disc and steroidal injections can be used to further reduce swelling at the site. However, any dysfunctions will remain until corrected. When the herniation is severe enough, and worth the risks involved, surgery can be an option. In this case, the surgeon removes the disc and either replaces it with an artificial disc or fuses the spine at that location.
Chiropractic Is a Lifesaver for a Herniated Back
For a more proactive, less-medicative approach than traditional wait-and-see medicine, chiropractic can help with minor disc herniations. In cases where surgery is not required, chiropractic can be an effective therapy either in combination with, or in replacement of, anti-inflammatory medications. One study into the three-month and one-year outcomes of 148 herniated disc patients of chiropractic found that over 90 percent were improved by three months. Impressively, herniated disc patients with chronic pain were found to have an 89 percent improvement after a year. The study also importantly found no adverse reactions, which goes to support chiropractic's safety as an effective herniated disc treatment. Similarly, a 2004 systematic review found chiropractic manipulation to be exceptionally safe when used as treatment for lumbar spine disc herniations. Because of this history of safety, chiropractic is also useful as a preventative measure. By correcting spinal dysfunctions early, people are less likely to suffer a trauma herniation from improper alignment. Adjustments also have the advantage of easing undue pressure upon the discs and preventing the disc compression that leads to early failure.
If you have experienced a herniated disc and are seeking a safe and effective treatment for recovery, visit a doctor at The Joint Chiropractic today. Walk-in patients are welcomed and can receive treatment for an affordable, insurance-free price. With more than 600 clinics nationwide, you are never far from The Joint and back relief.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Madison, Ala.