Herniated Disc Treatment in Coon Rapids, MN
Herniated disc treatment in Coon Rapids, MN. Herniated discs can be excruciating, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Chiropractic care is a drug-free, non-invasive way to treat herniated discs and ease the pain. At Total Spine Health & Injury Center, we form a team with our patients to not just safe help your pain go away, but offer a comprehensive treatment plan aimed at helping them feel better every day. If you're experiencing pain and limited motion in the Coon Rapids, MN area, call our team at Total Spine today at (763) 568-7869 or contact us through our website for meaningful and lasting herniated disc treatment.
The Anatomy of a Herniated Disc
The spinal cord, which sends messages between the brain and the rest of your body, passes upward through each vertebrae. Nerve roots connect to the spinal cord through openings on the side of the vertebrae. Spinal discs are tough, flexible cushions between each vertebrae. They are filled with a jelly-like fluid (nucleus pulposus) that asks as a shock absorber, and have a firm circular exterior (annulus fibrosus) that protects the liquid-like center and connects the vertebrae. When intact and functioning normally, 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 material pushes up against a nerve, it disrupts how the nerve communicates with the brain and causes symptoms in the body part related to that nerve.
The human body has 23 spinal discs, and it's possible to sustain and injury to any of them. However, most occur in the lower back or neck.
Herniated Disc Symptoms
Symptoms vary based on the severity and location of your injury, with some people having little to no 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 usually reserved to either your right or left side. While the location of the herniated disc may be sore, most pain will reach out to other parts of your body. A herniated disc in your lower back can cause pain in your lower back, through your buttocks, thigh, calf, and possibly feet (herniated discs are a common cause of sciatica). Herniated discs in the neck tend to cause pain in your upper extremities.
- Numbness — Either alongside or in the absence of pain, you may also feel like a part of your body has slightly fallen asleep.
- Weakness and stiffness — The muscles related to the damaged nerves can weaken if symptoms progress without any treatment. Lack of exercise stemming from other symptoms can cause certain body parts to become stiff.
Symptoms can come and go, and may be more severe at a certain time of day, after standing, sitting, or walking for long periods, when performing certain movements, and when you laugh, sneeze, or cough.
Why Do Herniated Discs Happen?
About 2% of American adults experience a herniated disc each year happens to people in the third to fifth decade in life, and has a male to female ratio of 2:1. A herniated disc can happen for a variety of reasons:
- Performing certain movements repeatedly
- Sitting in the same position for a long time
- Obesity
- Lifting heavy objects
- Poor technique when lifting
- Smoking
- Aging
- Not being physically active
How Are Herniated Discs Treated in Coon Rapids, MN?
There numerous treatment options for a herniated disc. Before seeking treatment from a professional, you may try anti-inflammatory medications and applying heating pads and ice to the affected disc. But, if your symptoms worsen or won't go away, you should seek professional treatment in Coon Rapids, MN. A physician may prescribe a cortisone injection, neuropathic drugs, physical therapy, or, in the case of serious symptoms such as difficulty standing or walking or loss of normal bowel function, a diskectomy.
But, the evidence demonstrates a chiropractor can also successfully treat a herniated disc. Moreover, chiropractic care reduces the likelihood of surgery, and people with back pain who choose non-chiropractic treatment options are almost twice as likely to to fill an opioid prescription.
Chiropractic For Coon Rapids, MN Herniated Disc Treatment
Your chiropractic herniated disc treatment will depend on your medical history, activity level, age, and the specifics of your injury. At your initial chiropractic appointment in Coon Rapids, MN, your chiropractor will probably take an X-ray. They'll also perform a physical examination, including testing the reflexes and strength of the affected body part. Then, they'll work with you to develop 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.
Chiropractors are most known for giving what's called chiropractic adjustments, or spinal adjustments. In these sessions, your Coon Rapids, MN chiropractor perform give quick, targeted thrusts to safely return vertebrae and discs to their proper alignment, 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 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 think of when they're considering visiting a chiropractor.
The Flexion-Distraction Technique
The Cox/Flexion-Distraction technique uses a specific type of table with individual segments to facilitate 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. Sessions are normally pain-free and, in many cases, pleasant.
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 Coon Rapids, MN chiropractor can teach you this effective pain-relieving strategy so you can do at home. While at their office, they might also guide you through safe exercises with the wedges in place to get further benefit.
Other Treatments
Coon Rapids, MN chiropractors offer holistic care that goes well beyond chiropractic adjustments. At Total Spine, strive to get to know our clients in their total health journey. Your custom herniated disc treatment plan in Coon Rapids, MN may also include:
- Massage therapy — In addition to a chiropractor, our team also includes a licensed massage therapist. When a disc impinges on a nerve, it restricts the movement of the muscles that that nerve controls. Massage therapy can help reduce that tightness. Massage is especially 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 coming back down the road. Appropriate posture prevents your spine from becoming misaligned and distributes weight evenly across your body. We'll help you understand tips for good posture while lifting and when performing other movements.
- Patient education — Our goal isn't just to offer pain relief in the moment. We show you things you can do on your own for longevity and quality of life, movement and mobility.
When you see us for your herniated disc treatment in Coon Rapids, MN, your treatment plan will be personally tailored to you, and we will put you on the best path forward toward living your best life.
Visit Total Spine For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Coon Rapids, MN
Most herniated discs can be healed effectively with professional chiropractic care in Coon Rapids, 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 make an appointment online for herniated disc treatment in Coon Rapids, MN today.