Herniated Disc Treatment in Brooklyn Center, MN
Herniated disc treatment in Brooklyn Center, MN. Herniated discs can be painful, but there is hope. Chiropractic care is effective at easing pain and restoring mobility, and doesn't involve the potential invasive procedures or medications of other treatment methods. At Total Spine Health & Injury Center, we work as a team with the people who come to see us to not just ease pain, but offer a comprehensive treatment plan aimed at helping them feel better every day. If you're experiencing symptoms associated with a herniated disc in the Brooklyn Center, MN area, Speak to a member of our team today at (763) 568-7869 or contact us online for meaningful and lasting herniated disc treatment.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
The spinal cord, which controls your body's movements, is protected by the vertebrae as it moves upward the spinal column. Nerve roots connect to the spinal cord through openings on the side of the vertebrae. Spinal discs act as tough ligaments that cushion the spine and hold it together. They are filled with a jelly-like material (nucleus pulposus) that asks as a shock absorber, which is protected by a strong outer layer (annulus fibrosus). When intact and functioning normally, these discs allow our spines to move in a variety of ways, and add space so the nerves and spinal column are not disrupted.
A herniated disc is a spine-related injury that occurs when the annulus fibrosus tears and the inner disc leaks out. When the leaked substance impinges on a nerve, it disrupts how the nerve communicates with the brain and causes symptoms in the body part associated with that nerve.
The human body has 23 spinal discs, and it's possible to suffer and injury to any of them. However, most herniated discs are in the lumbar region or neck.
Herniated Disc Symptoms
Depending on the specifics of your injury, the severity of your symptoms can vary greatly, and you may or may not feel pain. If the herniation is not pressing up against a nerve, you may not feel any pain at all. People with herniated discs may experience:
- Pain — The affected nerve will signal to the brain that something is wrong, leading to pain. The pain is almost always only on one side of the body. While you may feel some pain in the location of the slipped disc, most most of the time symptoms will move to other parts of your body. A herniated disc in the lumbar region can cause pain in your lower back all the way down to your calves (herniated discs are a common cause of sciatica). Herniated discs in the neck tend to cause pain in your shoulder or arm.
- Tingling — Either alongside or in the absence of pain, you may also feel a numbing sensation in affected parts of the body.
- Weakness and stiffness — The muscles controlled by the disrupted nerves can weaken if symptoms progress without any treatment. Lack of physical activity as the result of bed rest can cause certain body parts to become stiff.
Symptoms are not always constant, and may be more worse at a certain time of day, after staying in the same position for a long time, when performing certain movements, and when you laugh, sneeze, or cough.
Who Gets Herniated Discs?
About 2% of adults in the U.S. experience a herniated disc each year happens to people in the third to fifth decade in life, and affects twice as many men as women. Someone may be more likely to experience a herniated disc with:
- Repetitive bending or twisting
- Sitting in the same position for a long time
- Obesity
- Lifting heavy objects
- Not lifting with proper technique
- Smoking
- Old age
- Inactive lifestyle
How Are Herniated Discs Treated in Brooklyn Center, MN?
Your herniated disc treatment will depend on the severity of your symptoms and where the disc is located. At home, you may try over-the-counter medications and applying heat packs and ice to the affected area. But, eventually, it's best to see a medical professional in Brooklyn Center, MN. A medical doctor may recommend a steroid injection, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, or, in the case of serious symptoms such as debilitating pain or loss of normal bladder function, surgery.
However, studies show a chiropractor can also successfully treat a herniated disc. Moreover, people who are treated by a chiropractor are less likely to need surgery, and people with back pain who choose non-chiropractic treatment options are 64% more likely to receive a prescription for opioids.
Chiropractic For Brooklyn Center, MN Herniated Disc Treatment
Your chiropractic herniated disc treatment will be based on your specific situation. At your initial chiropractic appointment in Brooklyn Center, MN, your chiropractor will likely perform imaging tests. They'll also test your pain level reflexes, strength, and sensation in the body part related to the damages nerve. Then, they'll come up with a personalized treatment plan aimed at getting you feeling even better than you did before your disc injury.
Chiropractic care for herniated discs focuses on restoring spinal alignment and relieving pressure on the nerves. The goal is to reduce pain and improve function.
When most people think of chiropractors, the think of chiropractic adjustments, or spinal alignments. In these adjustments, your Brooklyn Center, MN chiropractor perform give quick, targeted thrusts on your back or neck in order to safely realign your spine, relieving pain as well as providing numerous other benefits. There are a variety of chiropractic techniques they may use in your treatment:
The Diversified Technique
The diversified technique is used by over 95% of practicing chiropractors. With this technique, your chiropractor will utilize short thrusts over each joint individually to correctly align the spine and improve function. The diversified technique results in the "popping" sound many people associate with chiropractic adjustments.
The Flexion-Distraction Technique
Also called the Cox method, this uses a specific type of table with individual pieces to perform gentle and rhythmic adjustments. The adjustments, combined with the movements of the table, elongate the spine and reduce tension between your discs, nerves, vertebrae and joints. This technique rarely ever causes pain and many patients say that it feels good.
The Pelvic Blocking Technique
Pelvic blocking involves putting to soft blocks under as support under the pelvis. This draws the disc away from the affected nerve. Your Brooklyn Center, MN chiropractor will show you how you can do this for yourself at home. While at their office, they will also help you perform safe exercises with the wedges in place to further improve mobility.
Other Treatments
The herniated disc treatment you receive from your Brooklyn Center, MN chiropractor does not begin and end at chiropractic adjustments. At Total Spine, strive to build relationships with all of our patients. Your tailored herniated disc treatment plan in Brooklyn Center, MN may also include:
- Massage therapy — In addition to a chiropractor, our team also includes a licensed massage therapist. When a nerve is compressed, it limits the mobility of the muscles that that nerve controls. Massage therapy works to free that tension. Massage is particularly good at helping people whose symptoms include muscle spasms.
- Posture correction — Good posture can not only help prevent herniated discs, but can reduce the likelihood of symptoms reemerging in the future. Good posture keeps your spine in correct alignment and distributes weight evenly across your body. We can also teach you tips for good posture while lifting and when performing other movements.
- Patient education — We want you to feel good every day after your herniated disc treatment with us. We can also offer nutrition and exercise advice to reduce inflammation and make sure your discs are hydrated and healthy.
When you come to us for your herniated disc treatment in Brooklyn Center, MN, we will find out exactly what we can do to help you, and put you on the best path forward toward living your best life.
Call Total Spine For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Brooklyn Center, MN
Most herniated discs can be healed effectively with professional chiropractic care in Brooklyn Center, MN. With safe techniques that have proven to be effective, Total Spine can be your partner in recovering from your injuries. Call us today at (763) 568-7869 or request an appointment online for herniated disc treatment in Brooklyn Center, MN today.