Herniated Disc Treatment in Greenfield, MN
Herniated disc treatment in Greenfield, MN. Herniated discs can be debilitating, but with the right treatment you can overcome 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 who come to see us to not just safe help your pain go away, but offer a holistic treatment plan aimed at getting them back to optimal health and function. If you're experiencing pain and limited motion in the Greenfield, MN area, Speak to a member of our team today at (763) 568-7869 or request an appointment online for safe and effective herniated disc treatment.
The Anatomy of a Herniated Disc
The spinal cord, which sends messages between the brain and the rest of your body, is protected by the vertebrae as it moves upward the spinal column. Nerve roots connect to the spinal cord through openings on the side of the vertebrae. The discs in our spine 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, and have a tough outer layer (annulus fibrosus) that protects the liquid-like center and connects the vertebrae. When healthy, 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 a fragment of the gel-like inner disc ruptures the surface of the outer layer. When the leaked material pushes up against a nerve, it affects the body part that that specific nerve is related to.
The human body has 23 spinal discs, and any of them can become herniated. However, most herniated discs are in the lumbar region or neck.
Herniated Disc Symptoms
Depending on the specifics of your injury, your symptoms may be mild or severe, and you may or may not feel pain. Many people with a herniated disc do not experience any symptoms for weeks, months, or even years after the herniation. Common symptoms of herniated discs include:
- Pain — As the herniated disc disrupts a nerve, that nerve can send pain signals to the brain. 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 pain will move to other parts of your body. A herniated disc in your lower back can cause pain in your lower back all the way down to your calves (this is often referred to as sciatica). Herniated discs in the neck may cause pain in your shoulder or arm.
- Numbness — Instead of or in addition to pain, you may also feel tingling in affected parts of the body.
- Weakness and stiffness — The muscles controlled by the affected 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 can come and go, and may be more worse at a certain time of day, after staying in the same position for a long time, when bending, and when sneezing, coughing, or laughing.
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. A herniated disc can happen for numerous reasons:
- Performing certain movements repeatedly
- Sitting in the same position for a long time
- Being overweight
- Lifting heavy objects
- Poor technique when lifting
- Smoking
- Old age
- Inactive lifestyle
How Are Herniated Discs Treated in Greenfield, MN?
Your herniated disc treatment will depend on the severity of your symptoms and where the disc is located. At home, you may try anti-inflammatory medications and varying heat and ice therapy to the affected disc. But, if your symptoms worsen or won't go away, it's best to see a medical professional in Greenfield, MN. A physician may advise a steroid injection, opioids, physical therapy, or, in the case of severe symptoms such as difficulty standing or walking or loss of normal bladder function, surgery.
However, the evidence demonstrates that chiropractic is also an effective treatment for 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 be prescribed opioids.
Chiropractic For Greenfield, MN Herniated Disc Treatment
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 Greenfield, MN chiropractor, your chiropractor will likely take an X-ray. 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 comprehensive treatment plan that both eases pain and decreases your likelihood of sustaining another disc injury down the line.
Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to treat herniated discs, including massage, traction, and adjustments. They will also often give advice on how to live healthier, such as exercises to strengthen the spine and improve flexibility.
Chiropractors are most known for giving what's called chiropractic adjustments, or spinal adjustments. In these adjustments, your Greenfield, MN chiropractor will give quick, targeted thrusts on your back or neck in order to safely return vertebrae and discs to their proper alignment, reducing pain 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. This technique involves using short thrusts over each joint individually to correctly align the spine and improve function. These are what cause 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 independent pieces to perform gentle and rhythmic adjustments. The adjustments, combined with the movements of the table, extend and decompress the spine, and reduce pressure on damaged discs. Sessions are normally pain-free and, in many cases, pleasant.
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 pushing up against. Your Greenfield, MN chiropractor will show you how you can do this for yourself at home. During your adjustment, they may also guide you through safe exercises with the wedges in place to further improve mobility.
Other Treatments
Greenfield, MN chiropractors offer holistic care that goes well beyond chiropractic adjustments. At Total Spine, endeavor to get to know our clients in their total health journey. Your tailored herniated disc treatment plan in Greenfield, MN may also include:
- Massage therapy — Beyond just a chiropractor, our team also includes a licensed massage therapist. When a nerve is compressed, it limits the mobility of related muscles. Massage therapy works to free that tension. Massage is especially good at helping people who are experiencing 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 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 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 Greenfield, MN, your treatment plan will be personally tailored to you, and we will put you on the best path forward toward optimal movement health.
Call Total Spine For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Greenfield, MN
Most herniated discs do not require surgery or other invasive methods. With professional chiropractic care in Greenfield, MN, you can ease pain, reduce the odds of re-injury in the future, and feel better than you did before. With safe techniques based on research and modern practices, Total Spine can be your partner in recovering from your injuries. Call us today at (763) 568-7869 or contact us online for herniated disc treatment in Greenfield, MN today.
