Chiropractic Care And Herniated Disc
Chiropractic care is often sought after by people suffering from back pain. This is because spinal manipulation is such an effective yet side effect-free way to relieve pain. But did you know that people are often diagnosed with herniated disc and that the back pain, leg pain, excessive weakness in the legs, and abnormal functions of the lower extremities that they’re experiencing were just symptoms?
This is the reason why it’s important to get a thorough examination and treatment instead of just opting for a quick pain relief. This way the root cause of the problem is the one being addressed not just the symptoms.
Herniated disc happens when there are subluxations. When one or more bones of the spine move out of their proper alignment, it puts pressure on the spinal nerve which is why you feel pain. This then could lead to herniated disc where the outer ring of the intervertebral disc can dry and tear which allows the soft portion of the disc to bulge out.
Symptoms
Here are the signs that could mean the pain you’re feeling is due to herniated disc:
· Pain spreading over the buttocks, down the back of one thigh, and into the calf
· Pain may be in one leg (more common) or both legs
· Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs or feet
· Numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both arms
· In severe cases, inability to find comfort even lying down
· Sudden aching or twisted neck that cannot be straightened without severe pain
· Bowel or bladder changes and/or numbness in the groin
Treatments
If you’ve experienced one or more of those symptoms, it’s time to seek professional help. Putting off treatment will just prolong the pain and make your condition worse. So it would be best to seek early diagnosis and treatment. A combination of these treatments may be recommended to you:
Physical therapy, exercise and gentle stretching to help relieve pressure on the nerve root
· Ice and heat therapy for pain relief
· Manipulation (such as chiropractic manipulation)
· Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen or COX-2 inhibitors for pain relief
· Narcotic pain medications for pain relief
· Oral steroids to decrease inflammation for pain relief
· Epidural injections to decrease inflammation for pain relief
Although surgery is also an option, it would be wise to seek chiropractic care first. Not only that chiropractors specialize in musculoskeletal issues like this, spinal adjustments are designed to correct subluxation in your spine which goes straight to where your condition has begun. Moreover, this alternative treatment is a non-invasive and drug-free approach which your body may respond best to but it also helps your body achieve overall wellness without much risk that surgery may have.
