Herniated Disc Treatment in Spring Lake Park, MN
Herniated disc treatment in Spring Lake Park, 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 our patients to not just ease symptoms, 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 Spring Lake Park, MN area, Speak to a member of the Total Spine team today at (763) 568-7869 or schedule an appointment online 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, is protected by the vertebrae as it moves upward the spinal column. Nerve roots connect to the spinal cord through holes on each side of the vertebrae. Spinal discs act as cushions between the vertebrae. They are made up of a gel-like substance (nucleus pulposus) that asks as a shock absorber, and have a tough circular exterior (annulus fibrosus) that protects the disc and connects the vertebrae. When intact and functioning normally, these discs allow for a variety of movements, and create 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 nucleus pulposus leaks out. When the leaked gel puts pressure on a nerve, it causes problems for the body part that that specific nerve controls.
The human body has 23 discs in the spine, and it's possible to suffer and injury to any of them. However, most herniated discs are in the lower back or neck.
What Are Common Symptoms of a Herniated Discs?
Symptoms vary based on the severity and location of your injury, with some people not experiencing any pain at all. Many people with a herniated disc do not experience any symptoms for weeks, months, or even years after the herniation. Common symptoms of herniated discs include:
- Pain — As the herniated disc presses against a nerve, that nerve can send pain signals to the brain. The pain is usually reserved to either your right or left side. While you may feel some soreness in the location of the slipped disc, most most of the time pain will reach out 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 (this is often referred to as sciatica). Neck and shoulder pain are common symptoms of herniated discs in the neck.
- Tingling — Instead of or in addition to pain, you may also feel like a part of your body has slightly fallen asleep.
- Weakness and stiffness — The muscles controlled by the affected 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 standing, sitting, or walking for long periods, when bending, and when sneezing, coughing, or laughing.
Who Gets Herniated Discs?
About 2% of adults in the U.S. experience a herniated disc annually It mostly occurs to people between 30 and 50 years old, and has a male to female ratio of 2:1. A herniated disc can happen for a variety of reasons:
- Repetitive bending or twisting
- Sitting in the same position for a long time
- Excessive weight
- Lifting heavy objects
- Poor technique when lifting
- Smoking
- Aging
- Not being physically active
Treatment Options For a Herniated Disc in Spring Lake Park, 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 heating pads and ice to the affected area. But, if your symptoms don't get better and won't go away, you should seek professional treatment in Spring Lake Park, MN. A physician 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 control, surgery.
But, studies show 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 64% more likely to receive a prescription for opioids.
How Spring Lake Park, MN Chiropractors Can Help With Herniated Discs
Your chiropractic treatment for your herniated disc will depend on your medical history, activity level, age, and the specifics of your injury. When you first see your Spring Lake Park, MN chiropractor, 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 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 alignment to the spine 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 adjustments, your Spring Lake Park, MN chiropractor carry out give quick, targeted thrusts to safely return vertebrae and discs to where they should be, relieving pain and improving function. There are a variety of chiropractic techniques they may use in your treatment:
The Diversified Technique
The diversified technique is the most common chiropractic technique in the world. This technique involves using quick thrusts over each joint individually to correctly align the spine and improve function. These are what cause the "popping" sound most people think of when they think of chiropractors.
The Flexion-Distraction Technique
The Cox/Flexion-Distraction technique uses a specific type of table with independent segments to facilitate gentle and rhythmic adjustments. The adjustments, combined with the movements of the table, stretch and decompress the spine, and reduce tension between your discs, nerves, vertebrae and joints. This technique rarely ever causes pain and many patients find they enjoy it.
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 pushing up against. Your Spring Lake Park, MN chiropractor can teach you this effective pain-relieving strategy so you can do at home. During your sessions, they will also help you perform safe exercises with the wedges in place to get further benefit.
Other Treatments
The herniated disc treatment you receive from your Spring Lake Park, MN chiropractor does not begin and end at chiropractic adjustments. At Total Spine, strive to get to know our clients in their total health journey. Your personalized herniated disc treatment plan in Spring Lake Park, MN may also include:
- Massage therapy — Beyond just a chiropractor, we also have a licensed massage therapist on our team. When a disc impinges on a nerve, it restricts the flexibility of the muscles that that nerve controls. Massage therapy can help liberate that tightness. Massage is particularly effective if your 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 prevents your spine from becoming misaligned and prevents unequal weight distribution. We can also teach you tips for correct posture while lifting so you don't irritate a herniated disc when you're physically active.
- 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 Spring Lake Park, MN, your treatment plan will be personally tailored to you, and we will put you on the best path forward toward optimal movement health.
Trust in Total Spine For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Spring Lake Park, MN
Most herniated discs do not require surgery or other invasive methods. With professional chiropractic care in Spring Lake Park, MN, you can alleviate the symptoms related to your herniated disc, reduce the odds of re-injury in the future, and feel better in your everyday life. With safe techniques based on research and modern practices, Total Spine will work with you to recover from your injuries. Call our team at Total Spine today at (763) 568-7869 or contact us through our website for herniated disc treatment in Spring Lake Park, MN today.