Chiropractic Care Team at Stillwell Family Chiropractic Center Provides Herniated Disk Treatment
Often people are faced with back problems throughout their lives, whether it is due to a high stress work environment, or an unusually exciting backyard football game. Back pain can be quite debilitating, which makes it a very concerning problem. When people are in pain, a common venue would be to seek the help of a doctor. Although sometimes the suggested treatments for the pain may be vague and not patient specialized. Our chiropractic care team at Stillwell Family Chiropractic center have a focus to make sure that we provide individualized and holistic treatments for our patients. A very common cause of back pain for many people often tends to be herniated disk. Read more to find out what herniated disk is.
What is Herniated Disk
Herniated disk, also called slipped disk, or ruptured disk refers to a problem with one of the rubbery cushions (disks) that sit between the vertebrae of your back. The spinal disk has a soft, jellylike center that is incased in a tougher, rubbery exterior. Together the disk provides cushion to your vertebrae and flexibility in your back.
When this tough external exterior allows the jelly like substance in the middle to extrude outside a small amount, this puts pressure on nerves that may be in the area leading to irritation and pain.
What Causes a Herniated Disk
Generally herniated discs occur as the natural process of aging. Things wear out and tend to shift overtime. When they do, your chiropractor is able to adjust and realign your spine to ease the pain.
Discs can also be injured by incorrectly performing lifts such as using the back muscles to lift something heavy instead of using the leg muscles. A couple other common injuries include sports or vehicle accident injuries.
Herniated Disc Symptoms
Most disc disruptions happen in the neck or lower back. The location of the disc and its proximity to the nerve it is pinching, determines what side of the body the symptoms will affect. For instance, if the neck is affected, the pain might be felt radiating from the shoulder to the arm.
Lower back herniated disk typically affects the hips and legs. Pain may radiate through the buttocks, hips, thigh, calf, and perhaps some parts of the foot. Coughing, sneezing, or sleeping in certain positions might make the pain significantly more intense.
A little more confusing for people suffering a bulging disc is the numbness and tingling radiating out from the injured disc. Is that why the legs won't hold you up and/or the arms can't hold the groceries you just bought? Yes, those can be herniated disc symptoms.
Chiropractic Care for Herniated Disk
Your chiropractor at Stillwell Family Chiropractic and Massage in Kent will work with you to determine the best way to heal your disc problem using spinal adjustment as well as exercises to do at home for pain control. We can begin when you contact us today at (253) 839-2225.
