There are approximately five to 20 per 1000 adults each year who experience a herniated disc. The injury most often affects the lumbar spine, which is the lowest part of the spine. However, they can develop anywhere in the spine. Getting relief from this disc injury starts with choosing the right care and learning more about it.
What Are Spinal Discs?
Also referred to as intervertebral discs, spinal discs are located between the vertebrae in the spinal column where they act as shock absorbers. Their ability to absorb shock is due to the fact that they are slightly pliable. At each level of the spine are nerves that run down the center of the spinal column. The discs also help to protect these nerves. The top and bottom of each disc is flat, and they are round in diameter. The spine has 23 discs.
Stages of Herniation and How Does it Happen?
Disc herniation occurs in four stages. These stages include:
Disc compression
Degenerative changes, trauma and repetitive and extreme strain can compress the spinal discs. This results in the annular fibers tearing and these fibers are responsible for keeping the disc in its proper position. During this stage, the disc’s jelly-like center stays inside the disc’s structure, but it starts to become irritated.
Bulging disc
When a disc experiences constant loading and strain, the annular fibers start to bulge further. This can cause the spinal nerves to become aggravated and inflamed. At this point, the nucleus is still within the disc structure thanks to the outermost fibers keeping it in its place.
Disc protrusion
The nucleus has a jelly-like substance that contains it. During this stage, the annulus fiber tears are large, and in between these tears, the nucleus breaks out. The disc is starting to push on a spinal nerve. At this point, it is common to experience increased tingling, pain and other symptoms.
Herniated disc
At this stage, the annulus and nucleus are in the epidural space. Most of the spinal nerve is squeezed as a result. Some people require surgical intervention at this point, and it is common to experience extreme pain.
Signs and Symptoms of a Disc Injury
A disc injury does not always cause symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they often depend on the location of the disc and how severe the disc injury is. In most cases, the symptoms that do occur only occur on one side of the body. The pain tends to worsen over time, and it can get worse.
Pain
Pain is one of the most common symptoms. The disc injury will determine where the pain is located. It can occur at the site of the bad disc, as well as in the arms, hands, neck and legs. This pain can be described as shooting, sharp, aching or dull. Pain from a disc injury can worsen with different activity levels.
Muscle Spasms
The spinal nerves are under pressure from a herniated disc. This can result in muscle weakness. Muscle spasms can also occur with a disc injury. If the disc is in the lumbar spine, it may put pressure on the sciatic nerve. When this nerve is affected, you may experience pain running down the hip, leg and buttocks.
Tingling & Numbness
With pressure on a nerve, several sensations can occur. These may include pins and needles, tingling, numbness and burning.
Stiffness
Stiffness can occur with this type of injury. For example, if the disc is in your cervical spine, neck stiffness is not uncommon.
Why Chiropractic is the Best Option for Care
Chiropractic care for a disc injury is advantageous for a variety of reasons. The first is that it is noninvasive. A chiropractor can help people with disc injuries without the need for injections or surgical intervention.
Chiropractors do not treat this issue with controlled substances. They use a variety of other techniques to help control the symptoms and heal the injury instead of just masking it with medications.
A chiropractor takes a holistic approach to a disc injury. Instead of just looking at this injury, they evaluate your whole body. This makes it possible to offer advice on lifestyle factors that treat the whole person while helping with the chief concern. You are able to start feeling better at your own pace.
How We Treat Disc Injury
We take a comprehensive approach to treating a disc injury. This utilizes different steps and techniques to address your injury as it is unique to you and your total health.
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
The first step in chiropractic disc injury care is the consultation. Your chiropractor will evaluate the injury as well as your total health and medical history. This makes it easier to determine the best course of treatment based on your specific situation.
Specific Chiropractic Care
This type of care goes straight to the root of the problem. They will help the disc material to return to its proper position and correct subluxation via the use of chiropractic adjustment.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
It is important to strengthen the muscles surrounding the spine to prevent the disc injury from occurring again in the future. This also helps to promote better mobility. You will work with your chiropractor and a trainer to develop an exercise plan that addresses your specific needs.
Spinal Decompression
When a disc is herniated and outside of its proper position, this treatment helps it to naturally return to its proper position. It also promotes better nerve function by increasing joint spacing. This treatment uses gentle stretches directed at the spine.
Deep Tissue Laser
It takes time to heal this type of injury, but this treatment may help to accelerate the process. It allows for light energy to reach the damaged tissue through deep penetration. This helps to increase healing and reduce inflammation. Each session usually only takes approximately three to five minutes. This treatment can be combined with the others to promote healing and relief from your symptoms.
Causes of Disc Injury
There are several ways to experience a disc injury. Knowing the potential causes may help you to reduce your risk.
Repetitive Motion/Stress
If your repetitive movements put frequent strain on any of your spinal discs, this could result in wear and tear on those discs. For example, if you work a job that often requires you to be bent over or make awkward movements affecting your core, this could cause the type of stress that could affect the spinal discs over time.
Heavy Lifting
Physiological changes can start to occur with heavy lifting. This can increase the speed in which the discs become damaged. Over time, this could cause injury and result in disc herniation.
Auto Accidents
When an auto accident occurs, sudden impact to the spine is possible and this can result in a disc injury. This type of accident can cause annular tears, bulging discs and herniated discs, depending on the severity of the impact.
Degenerative Disc Disease
This is a common condition that is characterized by the discs losing their strength due to wear and tear. It can occur as the result of getting older, or due to overuse or an injury. The discs are unable to repair themselves once the disc is damaged. While any disc in the spine can be affected, it most often affects the lower back and the neck.
Respiratory Illness
It is possible to experience a disc injury as the result of sneezing and coughing. When you are sneezing or coughing, this can increase pressure on the spine which can result in leaking or rupture. Sneezing and coughing can also strain the back and increase the risk of a disc injury.
FAQs
Having a comprehensive understanding of what a disc injury is means making sure that you understand all aspects of it. These FAQs serve to answer the questions that people do not often ask.
How Long Does It Take for a Disc Herniation to Heal?
The location of the herniated disc and how severe it is and determine how long it takes this disc injury to heal. However, the average time for healing is four to six weeks. However, some literature says it can take up to 22 weeks, especially if you continue to do things that put stress on the injured disc. In most cases, surgery is not necessary. You can utilize noninvasive measures to promote healing of the disc and to manage your symptoms.
What Should You Not Do with a Herniated Disc?
Healing a herniated disc can be a delicate balance regarding what to do and not do during the recovery process. While some rest is important when you are healing, you should limit it to the first two days. After this, you want to be cautiously active. It is also important to make sure that you are not sitting too much, and when you are sitting, ensure that you are using proper posture and that your spine has adequate support.
Bending over can aggravate the injury and cause further pain. Make sure to avoid activities that require bending. You should also avoid stretching your back too much.
Adjusting your sleeping position can help to reduce your pain and promote healing. Sleep on the opposite side of your pain. You should also put a pillow under your lower legs. Adding some lumbar support is ideal if you sleep on your back.
You can gently exercise as you are healing, but there are some exercises that you should avoid, including:
- Sit-ups
- Twisting exercises
- Deadlifts
- Hamstring stretches
- Running
- Contact sports
Can a Chiropractor Fix a Pinched Nerve?
Pinched nerves can be very painful, but there are ways that chiropractic care can help to alleviate the pain. A chiropractic adjustment can help to reduce pressure on the nerve so that it can heal. With adjustments, you can improve your mobility and your pain. Massage can also be beneficial because it helps to loosen the muscles associated with the pinched nerve.
In addition, your chiropractor can help you with things like creating an ergonomic workstation and using proper posture to reduce pain and your risk of another pinched nerve in the future. They may also help you to create an exercise plan that can help with your pain.
What Does a Slipped Disc Feel Like?
Pain is the most common symptom, and it can affect the extremities that are associated with the nerves being pressed on by the slipped disc. Certain movements can increase the pain. You might notice that it is worse at night. The pain can increase when you are sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time.
