Woodland, MN

Herniated Disc Treatment in Woodland, MN

Herniated disc treatment in Woodland, MN. Herniated discs can be debilitating, but with the right treatment you can move past your symptoms. Chiropractic care is a drug-free, non-invasive way to treat herniated discs and ease the pain. At Total Spine Health & Injury Center, we partner with the people we treat to not only safe help your pain go away, but offer a comprehensive treatment plan with the objecting of helping them feel better every day. If you're experiencing pain and limited motion in the Woodland, MN area, call our team at Total Spine today at (763) 568-7869 or contact us through our website for safe and effective herniated disc treatment.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

The spinal cord, which controls your body's movements, passes upward through each vertebrae. Nerve roots connect to the spinal cord through openings on the side of the vertebrae. Spinal discs act as tough ligaments that cushion the spine and hold it together. They are filled with a jelly-like material (nucleus pulposus) that allows for shock absorption and movement, which is protected by a strong outer layer (annulus fibrosus). When healthy, these discs allow us to bend, twist, and move, and add space so the nerves and spinal column can function properly.

A herniated disc is a spinal injury that occurs when the a fragment of the gel-like inner disc ruptures the surface of the outer layer. When the leaked material puts pressure on a nerve, it disrupts how the nerve communicates with the brain and causes symptoms in the body part related to that nerve.

There are 23 intervertebral discs, and it's possible to sustain 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?

Depending on the nature of your specific injury, the severity of your symptoms can vary greatly, and you may or may not feel pain. 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 either your right or left side. While you may feel some soreness in the location of the slipped disc, most most of the time symptoms will move 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). Neck and shoulder pain are common symptoms of herniated discs in the neck.
• Numbness — Either alongside or in the absence of pain, you may also feel like a part of your body has slightly fallen asleep.
• Weakness and stiffness — The muscles related to the affected nerves can weaken if symptoms progress without any treatment. Lack of exercise as the result of bed rest can cause certain body parts to become stiff.

Symptoms are not always constant, and may be more severe at night, after staying in the same position for a long time, when bending, and when sneezing, coughing, or laughing.

Who Gets Herniated Discs?

The incidence of a herniated disc is about 5 to 20 cases per 1000 adults annually. happens to people in the third to fifth decade in life, and affects twice as many men as women. Someone may be more likely to experience a herniated disc with:

• Repetitive bending or twisting
• Sitting in the same position for a long time
• Obesity
• Lifting heavy objects
• Poor technique when lifting
• Smoking
• Old age
• Inactive lifestyle

How Are Herniated Discs Treated in Woodland, MN?

Your herniated disc treatment will depend on the severity of your symptoms and where the disc is located. Before seeking professional medical attention, you may try over-the-counter medications and applying heat packs and ice to the affected disc. But, if your symptoms don't get better and won't go away, you should seek professional treatment in Woodland, MN. A physician may prescribe a cortisone injection, neuropathic drugs, physical therapy, or, in the case of serious symptoms such as debilitating pain or loss of normal bladder function, surgery.

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 did not get chiropractic treatment are almost twice as likely to to fill an opioid prescription.

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How Woodland, MN Chiropractors Can Help With Herniated Discs

Your chiropractic herniated disc treatment will be based on your medical history, activity level, age, and the specifics of your injury. When you first see your Woodland, 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 design 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 sessions, your Woodland, MN chiropractor perform give quick, targeted thrusts on your back or neck in order to safely return vertebrae and discs to their proper alignment, easing symptoms and improving function. There are a variety of chiropractic techniques they may use in your treatment:

The Diversified Technique

The diversified technique is used by over 95% of practicing chiropractors. This technique involves using quick thrusts over each joint individually to improve spinal alignment, proper joint function, and mobility. The diversified technique results in the "popping" sound many people associate with chiropractic adjustments.

The Flexion-Distraction Technique

Also called the Cox technique, this utilizes a specially designed table with individual pieces to facilitate 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, pleasant.

The Pelvic Blocking Technique

Pelvic blocking involves putting cushioned wedges under each side of your pelvis. This draws the disc away from the affected nerve. Your Woodland, 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 Woodland, MN chiropractor does not begin and end at chiropractic adjustments. At Total Spine, strive to build relationships with all of our patients. We may also incorporate the following in your custom herniated disc treatment plan in Woodland, MN:

• Massage therapy — In addition to a chiropractor, we also have a licensed massage therapist in our office. When a disc impinges on a nerve, it restricts the flexibility of related muscles. Massage therapy can help free that tension. 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 keeps your spine in correct alignment and prevents unequal weight distribution. We can also teach you tips for good posture while lifting and when performing other movements.
• Patient education — We want you to feel good every day after your herniated disc treatment with us. 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 Woodland, 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.

Visit Total Spine For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Woodland, MN

Most herniated discs can be healed effectively with professional chiropractic care in Woodland, MN. With safe techniques based on research and modern practices, Total Spine can be your partner in recovering from your injuries. Speak to a member of our team today at (763) 568-7869 or request an appointment online for herniated disc treatment in Woodland, MN today.