A herniated disc may cause chronic low back pain along with a host of other symptoms. If you suspect that you have a herniated disc, explore our chiropractic care options at Chiro-Med Health & Wellness Centers. Our certified Orland Park chiropractors have extensive experience using spinal adjustments, non-surgical spinal decompression, and other therapies to treat herniated discs.
What Is Herniated Disc?
The discs between the interlocking bones in your spine provide flexibility and absorb shock. A patient is said to have a herniated disc when one of these spinal discs tears or breaks. This can happen anywhere along the spine, but more often occurs in the lumbar spine (lower back). In some cases, liquid or the soft jelly-like material at the core of the disc leaks out and irritates a nearby nerve.
What Causes a Herniated Disc?
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a leading cause of herniated discs. DDD refers to deterioration and other changes in the disc that make it weak and prone to damage. These changes are sometimes linked to medical conditions such as osteoarthritis or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal).
Spinal stenosis may put pressure on the spinal cord, nerve, or disc, leading to disc herniation or sciatica (nerve pain). Less common causes include back or neck injury, obesity, heavy lifting, and sitting a lot. One of our two chiropractors, Dr. Berger or Dr. Miller, can explain more during your visit.
What Are the Symptoms of a Herniated Disc?
You may experience mild to severe pain and stiffness in the neck or lower back. Inflammation of a nerve root or pressure on a sciatic nerve caused by a herniated disc often causes pain in the lower back that radiates to the buttocks and down the legs. Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the upper or lower extremities is also common. Loss of bladder control is seen in severe cases of nerve damage.
Herniated Disc Treatment from Our Orland Park, IL, Chiropractors
Dr. Berger or Dr. Miller will do a thorough evaluation and run various tests to make a diagnosis. The results will guide us in choosing a treatment approach that provides lasting relief.
Spinal adjustment is a non-invasive technique used to realign the spinal bones and relieve pressure on the disc. Spinal decompression therapy is an FDA-approved technique used to pull an extruded disc back into position. Doing so frees compressed nerves, reduces pain, allows a damaged disc to heal, and increases spinal flexibility.
Massage therapy, laser therapy, or physical therapy are often used to increase the effects of adjustment and decompression therapy. These therapies help speed up soft tissue healing, relieve pain, or increase muscle strength and flexibility.
Contact Chiro-Med Health & Wellness Centers
Chiropractic care for herniated disc is often considered a natural alternative to disc surgery. Call 708-218-9798 to schedule an appointment with our Orland Park, IL, chiropractors, Dr. Berger or Dr. Miller.
