Herniated Disc Treatment in Brooklyn Park, MN
Herniated disc treatment in Brooklyn Park, MN. Herniated discs can be painful, but you don't have to live with the limits it places on your life. 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 the people who come to see us to not only ease pain, but offer a comprehensive treatment plan aimed at getting them back to optimal mobility and health. If you're experiencing pain and limited motion in the Brooklyn Park, MN area, call our team at Total Spine today at (763) 568-7869 or contact us online for meaningful and lasting herniated disc treatment.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
The spinal cord and nerve roots that control your body's movements pass through openings in each vertebra of your spine. Intervertebral discs act as tough ligaments that cushion the spine and hold it together. They are made up of a gel-like material (nucleus pulposus) that asks as a shock absorber, and have a strong circular exterior (annulus fibrosus) that protects the liquid-like center and connects the vertebrae. When healthy, these discs allow for a variety of movements, and create space so the nerves and spinal column can function properly.
A herniated disc is a spine-related injury that occurs when the a fragment of the gel-like inner disc ruptures the surface of the outer layer. When the leaked gel puts pressure on a nerve, it affects the body part that that specific nerve is related to.
There are 23 intervertebral discs, and any of them can become herniated. However, most occur in the lower back or neck.
Herniated Disc Symptoms
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 — 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 you may feel some soreness in the location of the slipped disc, most most of the time pain will reach out to other parts of your body. A herniated disc in the lumbar region can cause pain in your lower back all the way down to your calves (herniated discs are a common cause of sciatica). Neck and shoulder pain are common symptoms of herniated discs in the neck.
- Tingling — Instead of or in addition to pain, you may also feel like your buttocks, leg, arm, or shoulder have slightly fallen asleep.
- Weakness and stiffness — The muscles controlled by the affected nerves can weaken if symptoms progress without any treatment. Lack of physical activity as the result of bed rest can cause the body to stiffen.
Symptoms can come and go, and may be more severe at a certain time of day, after standing, sitting, or walking for long periods, when performing certain movements, and when you laugh, sneeze, or cough.
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 has a male to female ratio of 2:1. A herniated disc can happen for numerous reasons:
- Performing certain movements repeatedly
- Sitting in the same position for a long time
- Obesity
- Lifting heavy objects
- Poor technique when lifting
- Smoking
- Aging
- Inactive lifestyle
Treatment Options For a Herniated Disc in Brooklyn Park, 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 heating pads and ice to the affected disc. But, if your symptoms worsen or won't go away, it's best to see a medical professional in Brooklyn Park, MN. A physician may recommend a cortisone injection, neuropathic drugs, physical therapy, or, in the case of serious symptoms such as weakness or loss of normal bladder function, a diskectomy.
However, studies show that chiropractic can also ease pain and restore function after a herniated disc. Furthermore, chiropractic care reduces the likelihood of surgery, and people with back pain who choose non-chiropractic treatment options are 1.5 to 2 times more likely to to fill an opioid prescription.
How Brooklyn Park, MN Chiropractors Treat Herniated Discs
Your chiropractic treatment for your herniated disc will be based on your specific situation. When you first see your Brooklyn Park, MN chiropractor, 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 come up with 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 spinal alignment 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. With various techniques, your Brooklyn Park, MN chiropractor perform give quick, targeted thrusts on your back or neck in order to safely realign your spine, reducing symptoms and improving function. Spinal adjustments may involve any one or several of different chiropractic techniques:
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 individually to improve spinal alignment, proper joint function, and mobility. The diversified technique results in the "popping" sound most people think of when they're considering visiting a chiropractor.
The Flexion-Distraction Technique
The Cox/Flexion-Distraction technique utilizes a specially designed table with individual pieces to perform gentle and rhythmic adjustments. Your chiropractor will leverage the movements of the table to elongate the spine and reduce pressure on damaged discs. This technique rarely ever causes pain and many patients say that it feels good.
The Pelvic Blocking Technique
Pelvic blocking involves putting to soft blocks under as support under the pelvis. This helps move the bulging or herniated disc away from the nerve it's impinging on. Your Brooklyn Park, MN chiropractor will show you how you can do this for yourself at home. During your appointment, they might also help you perform safe exercises during your session to get further benefit.
Other Treatments
The herniated disc treatment you receive from your Brooklyn Park, MN chiropractor does not begin and end at chiropractic adjustments. At Total Spine, want to build relationships with all of our patients. We may also include the following in your custom herniated disc treatment plan in Brooklyn Park, MN:
- Massage therapy — In addition to a chiropractor, our team also includes a licensed massage therapist. When a disc presses up against a nerve, it limits the movement of the muscles that that nerve controls. Massage therapy can help release that tightness. 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. Good posture prevents your spine from becoming misaligned and distributes weight evenly across your body. We'll help you understand tips for good posture while lifting and when performing other movements.
- Lifestyle tips — We want you to leave your herniated disc treatment feeling better than you did before you came to see us. We'll also help you understand how a healthy diet and regular exercise helps to reduce inflammation and make sure your discs are hydrated and healthy.
When you come to us for your herniated disc treatment in Brooklyn Park, MN, your treatment plan will be personally tailored to you, and we will put you on the best path forward toward optimal movement health.
Trust in Total Spine For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Brooklyn Park, MN
Most herniated discs do not require surgery or other invasive methods. With professional chiropractic care in Brooklyn Park, MN, you can ease the symptoms related to your herniated disc, reduce the odds of re-injury in the future, and feel better in your everyday life. With safe techniques based on research and modern practices, Total Spine can be your partner in recovering from your injuries. Call our team at Total Spine today at (763) 568-7869 or contact us online for herniated disc treatment in Brooklyn Park, MN today.
