Buffalo, MN

Herniated Disc Treatment in Buffalo, MN

Herniated disc treatment in Buffalo, MN. Herniated discs can be excruciating, but with the right treatment you can overcome your symptoms. 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 form a team with the people we treat to not just ease pain, but offer a comprehensive treatment plan with the objecting of helping them feel better every day. If you're suffering from pain and limited motion in the Buffalo, MN area, Speak to a member of the Total Spine 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 and nerve roots that send messages between the brain and the rest of your body pass through openings in each vertebra of your spine. Spinal discs act as cushions between the vertebrae. They are made up of a jelly-like material (nucleus pulposus) that asks as a shock absorber, which is protected by a strong outer layer (annulus fibrosus). When healthy, these discs allow our spines to move in a variety of ways, and create space between the nerves and where they exit the spinal column.

A herniated disc is a spinal injury that occurs when the outer layer tears and the inner disc leaks out. When the leaked substance puts pressure on a nerve, it affects the body part that that specific nerve is related to.

The human body has 23 intervertebral discs, and any of them can become herniated. However, most herniated discs are in the lumbar region or neck.

What Are Common Symptoms of a Herniated Discs?

Symptoms vary based on the severity and location of your injury, with some people having little to no pain. If the herniation is not interfering with a nerve, you may not feel any pain at all. Common symptoms of herniated discs include:

• Pain — The affected nerve will signal to the brain that something is wrong, leading to pain. The pain is usually reserved to either your right or left side. While the location of the herniated disc may be sore, most pain will move to your extremities. A herniated disc in your lower back can cause pain in your lower back all the way down to your calves (herniated discs are a common cause of sciatica). Neck and shoulder pain are common symptoms of herniated discs in the neck.
• Lack of sensation — Instead of or in addition to pain, you may also feel like your buttocks, leg, arm, or shoulder have slightly fallen asleep.
• Weakness and stiffness — The muscles controlled by the damaged nerves can weaken if the disc is left untreated. Lack of physical activity as the result of bed rest can cause the body to stiffen.

Symptoms are not always constant, and may be more worse at night, after staying in the same position for a long time, when performing certain movements, and when you laugh, sneeze, or cough.

Risk Factors For Herniated Discs

The incidence of a herniated disc is about 5 to 20 cases per 1000 adults annually. happens to people in the third to fifth decade in life, and has a male to female ratio of 2:1. There are numerous risk factors for a herniated disc:

• Performing certain movements repeatedly
• Sitting in the same position for a long time
• Obesity
• Lifting heavy objects
• Poor technique when lifting
• Smoking
• Aging
• Not regularly exercising

How Are Herniated Discs Treated in Buffalo, MN?

Your herniated disc treatment will depend on the severity of your symptoms and where the disc is located. At home, you may try ibuprofen and applying heat packs and ice to the affected disc. But, if your symptoms don't get better and won't go away, you should seek professional treatment in Buffalo, MN. A physician may prescribe a steroid injection, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, or, in the case of serious symptoms such as weakness or loss of normal bowel control, a diskectomy.

However, studies show that chiropractic is also an effective treatment for a herniated disc. Moreover, people who see a chiropractor are less likely to need surgery, and people with back pain who did not get chiropractic treatment are 1.5 to 2 times more likely to be prescribed opioids.

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Chiropractic For Buffalo, MN Herniated Disc Treatment

Your chiropractic herniated disc treatment will be based on your medical history, activity level, age, and the specifics of your injury. At your initial chiropractic appointment in Buffalo, MN, your chiropractor will likely take an X-ray. They'll also test your pain level reflexes, strength, and sensation in the body part related to the damages nerve. Then, they'll work with you to create 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 aim is to reduce pain and improve function.

When most people think of chiropractors, the think of chiropractic adjustments, or spinal alignments. In these sessions, your Buffalo, MN chiropractor will give quick, targeted thrusts on your back or neck in order to safely realign your spine, easing symptoms and improving function. Spinal adjustments may involve any one or several of different chiropractic techniques:

The Diversified Technique

The diversified technique is the most common chiropractic technique in the world. With this technique, your chiropractor will utilize quick thrusts over each joint, one at a time, to correctly align the spine and improve function. These are what cause the "popping" sound many people associate with chiropractic adjustments.

The Flexion-Distraction Technique

The Cox/Flexion-Distraction technique uses a specially designed table with individual segments to facilitate gentle and rhythmic adjustments. Your chiropractor will leverage the movements of the table to stretch and decompress the spine, and reduce pressure on problematic discs. 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 helps move the bulging or herniated disc away from the nerve it's affecting. Your Buffalo, MN chiropractor will show you how you can do this for yourself at home. During your sessions, they might also guide you through safe exercises with the wedges in place to further improve mobility.

Other Treatments

The herniated disc treatment you receive from your Buffalo, MN chiropractor does not begin and end at chiropractic adjustments. At Total Spine, endeavor to build relationships with all of our patients. Your personalized herniated disc treatment plan in Buffalo, MN may also include:

• Massage therapy — Beyond just a chiropractor, our team also includes a licensed massage therapist. When a nerve is compressed, it restricts the flexibility of related muscles. Massage therapy works to release that tightness. Massage is particularly good at helping people whose symptoms include muscle spasms.
• Posture correction — Sitting, standing, and movement with good posture both helps prevent slipped discs and helps keep the symptoms from coming back. Good posture keeps your spine in correct alignment and prevents unequal weight distribution. We'll help you understand tips for correct posture while lifting and when performing other movements.
• Lifestyle tips — We want you to leave your herniated disc treatment feeling better than you did before you came to see us. We show you things you can do on your own for longevity and quality of life, movement and mobility.

When you come to us for your herniated disc treatment in Buffalo, 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.

Trust in Total Spine For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Buffalo, MN

Most herniated discs can be healed effectively with professional chiropractic care in Buffalo, MN. With safe techniques based on research and modern practices, Total Spine will work with you to recover from your injuries. Speak to a member of our team today at (763) 568-7869 or contact us online for herniated disc treatment in Buffalo, MN today.