Maple Plain, MN

Herniated Disc Treatment in Maple Plain, MN

Herniated disc treatment in Maple Plain, MN. Herniated discs can be painful, but with the right treatment you can move past 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 work as a team with our patients to not only ease symptoms, but offer a comprehensive treatment plan aimed at helping them feel better every day. If you're suffering from symptoms associated with a herniated disc in the Maple Plain, MN area, Speak to a member of the Total Spine team today at (763) 568-7869 or contact us 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, passes upward through each vertebrae. Nerve roots connect to the spinal cord through holes on each side of the vertebrae. The discs in our spine are tough, flexible cushions between each vertebrae. They are made up of 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 us to bend, twist, and move, 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 nucleus pulposus leaks out. When the leaked substance impinges on a nerve, it disrupts how the nerve communicates with the brain and causes symptoms in the body part associated with that nerve.

The human body has 23 spinal discs, and any of them can become herniated. However, most occur in the lower back or neck.

What Are Common Symptoms of a Herniated Discs?

Symptoms vary based on the severity and location of your herniated disc, with some people not experiencing any pain at all. If the herniation is not interfering with a nerve, you may not feel any pain at all. Common symptoms of herniated discs include:

• Pain — As the herniated disc interferes with a nerve, that nerve can send pain signals to the brain. The pain is usually reserved to one side of the body. While you may feel some pain in the location of the slipped disc, most most of the time symptoms will reach out to your extremities. 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.
• Tingling — Either alongside or in the absence of pain, you may also feel like your buttocks, leg, arm, or shoulder have slightly fallen asleep.
• Weakness and stiffness — The muscles related to the damaged nerves can weaken if symptoms progress without any treatment. Lack of physical activity stemming from other symptoms can cause certain body parts to become stiff.

Symptoms are not always constant, and may be more worse at night, after staying in the same position for a long time, when bending, and when you laugh, sneeze, or cough.

Risk Factors For Herniated Discs

The incidence of a herniated disc is about 5 to 20 cases per 1000 adults annually. It mostly occurs to people between 30 and 50 years old, and has a male to female ratio of 2:1. There are many risk factors associated with herniated discs:

• Performing certain movements repeatedly
• Sitting in the same position for a long time
• Obesity
• Lifting heavy objects
• Not lifting with proper technique
• Smoking
• Aging
• Not being physically active

Treatment Options For a Herniated Disc in Maple Plain, MN

There are a variety of herniated disc treatments available. Before seeking professional medical attention, you may try over-the-counter medications and varying heat and ice therapy to the affected area. But, if your symptoms don't get better and won't go away, you should seek professional treatment in Maple Plain, MN. A medical doctor may recommend a steroid injection, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, or, in the case of severe symptoms such as difficulty standing or walking or loss of normal bowel function, a diskectomy.

However, 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 64% more likely to receive a prescription for opioids.

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Chiropractic For Maple Plain, 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 first chiropractic appointment in Maple Plain, MN, your chiropractor will likely perform imaging tests. 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 create a personalized treatment plan aimed at getting you feeling even better than you did before your disc injury.

Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to treat herniated discs, including massage, traction, and adjustments. They will also often give advice on lifestyle changes, such as exercises to strengthen the spine and improve range of motion.

Chiropractors are most known for giving what's called chiropractic adjustments, or spinal alignments. With various techniques, your Maple Plain, MN chiropractor will give quick, targeted thrusts on your back or neck in order to safely return vertebrae and discs to their proper alignment, easing symptoms 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 the most common chiropractic technique in the world. With this technique, your chiropractor will utilize short thrusts over each joint, one at a time, to correctly align the spine and improve function. The diversified technique results in the "popping" sound many people associate with chiropractic adjustments.

The Flexion-Distraction Technique

Also called the Cox technique, this uses a specially designed table with independent segments to carry out gentle and rhythmic adjustments. Your chiropractor will leverage the movements of the table to elongate and decompress the spine, and reduce tension between your discs, nerves, vertebrae and joints. Sessions are normally pain-free and, in many cases, enjoyable.

The Pelvic Blocking Technique

Pelvic blocking involves putting cushioned wedges under each side of your pelvis. This helps move the bulging or herniated disc away from the nerve it's affecting. Your Maple Plain, MN chiropractor can teach you this effective pain-relieving strategy so you can do at home. During your sessions, they might also help you perform safe exercises during your session to further improve mobility.

Other Treatments

Maple Plain, MN chiropractors offer a treatment aimed at your continuing wellness that goes well beyond chiropractic adjustments. At Total Spine, want to build relationships with all of our patients. We may also include the following in your tailored herniated disc treatment plan in Maple Plain, MN:

• Massage therapy — Beyond just a chiropractor, our team also includes a licensed massage therapist. When a disc presses up against a nerve, it limits the flexibility of related muscles. Massage therapy can help reduce 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. Proper posture prevents your spine from becoming misaligned and distributes weight evenly across your body. We'll help you understand tips for correct posture while lifting so you don't irritate a herniated disc when you're physically active.
• Patient education — Our goal isn't just to give you 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 Maple Plain, MN, we will find out exactly what we can do to help you, and put you on the best path forward toward living your best life.

Trust in Total Spine For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Maple Plain, MN

Most herniated discs can be healed effectively with professional chiropractic care in Maple Plain, MN. With safe techniques that have proven to be effective, Total Spine will work with you to recover from your injuries. Call us today at (763) 568-7869 or contact us through our website for herniated disc treatment in Maple Plain, MN today.