Victoria, MN

Herniated Disc Treatment in Victoria, MN

Herniated disc treatment in Victoria, MN. Herniated discs can be painful, but with the right treatment you can overcome your symptoms. Chiropractic care is a drug-free, non-surgical way to treat herniated discs and ease the pain. At Total Spine Health & Injury Center, we form a team with our patients to not just ease pain, but offer a holistic treatment plan with the objecting of getting them back to optimal mobility and health. If you're suffering from pain and limited motion in the Victoria, 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.

The Anatomy of 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. The discs in our spine are tough, flexible cushions between each vertebrae. They are made up of a jelly-like material (nucleus pulposus) that asks as a shock absorber, and have a strong circular exterior (annulus fibrosus) that protects the disc 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 spine-related injury that occurs when the annulus fibrosus tears and the inner disc leaks out. When the leaked gel pushes up against 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 discs in the spine, and any of them can become herniated. However, most occur in the lumbar region 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 experience pain. If the herniation is not pressing up against a nerve, you may not feel any pain at all. People with herniated discs may experience:

• Pain — The affected nerve will signal to the brain that something is wrong, leading to pain. The pain is almost always only on either your right or left side. While the location of the herniated disc may be sore, most most of the time symptoms will reach out to other parts of your body. A herniated disc in the lumbar region 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 may cause symptoms in your shoulder or arm.
• Lack of feeling — 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 damaged nerves can weaken if symptoms progress without any treatment. Lack of exercise stemming from other symptoms can cause certain body parts to become stiff.

Symptoms are not always constant, and may be more severe at a certain time of day, after staying in the same position for a long time, when performing certain movements, and when you laugh, sneeze, or cough.

Why Do Herniated Discs Occur?

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. There are many risk factors for a herniated disc:

• Repetitive bending or twisting
• Sitting in the same position for a long time
• Obesity
• Lifting heavy objects
• Not lifting with proper technique
• Smoking
• Aging
• Inactive lifestyle

How Are Herniated Discs Treated in Victoria, MN?

Your herniated disc treatment will depend on the severity of your symptoms and where the disc is located. At home, you may try over-the-counter medications and applying heat packs and ice to the affected disc. But, eventually, you should seek professional treatment in Victoria, MN. A physician may prescribe a steroid injection, neuropathic drugs, physical therapy, or, in the case of serious symptoms such as debilitating pain or loss of normal bladder function, surgery.

However, studies show a chiropractor can also successfully treat a herniated disc. Furthermore, people who see a chiropractor are less likely to need 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 Victoria, MN Chiropractors Can Help With Herniated Discs

Your chiropractic treatment for your herniated disc will be based on your medical history, activity level, age, and the specifics of your injury. At your initial chiropractic appointment in Victoria, 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 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 objective is to reduce pain and improve function.

Chiropractors are most known for giving what's called chiropractic adjustments, or spinal adjustments. With various techniques, your Victoria, MN chiropractor carry out give quick, targeted thrusts on your back or neck in order to safely realign your spine, easing pain and improving function. 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. This technique involves using short 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 method, this utilizes a specially designed table with independent pieces 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 Victoria, MN chiropractor will show you how you can do this for yourself at home. While at their office, they might also guide you through safe exercises with the wedges in place to further improve mobility.

Other Treatments

Victoria, 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 Victoria, MN:

• Massage therapy — Beyond just a chiropractor, we also have a licensed massage therapist in our office. When a disc presses up against a nerve, it restricts the flexibility of the muscles that that nerve controls. Massage therapy works to reduce that tension. Massage is especially effective if your symptoms include muscle spasms.
• Posture correction — Good posture can not only help prevent herniated discs, but can reduce the likelihood of symptoms reemerging in the future. Appropriate posture keeps your spine in correct alignment and prevents unequal weight distribution. We can also teach you tips for good posture while lifting so you don't irritate a herniated disc when you're physically active.
• Lifestyle tips — 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 come to us for your herniated disc treatment in Victoria, 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.

Call Total Spine For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Victoria, MN

Most herniated discs can be healed effectively with professional chiropractic care in Victoria, MN. With safe techniques that have proven to be effective, Total Spine can be your partner in recovering from your injuries. Speak to a member of our team today at (763) 568-7869 or contact us through our website for herniated disc treatment in Victoria, MN today.