Herniated Disc Treatment in Long Lake, MN
Herniated disc treatment in Long Lake, MN. Herniated discs can be debilitating, but there is hope. Chiropractic care is a drug-free, non-invasive way to treat herniated discs and ease the pain. At Total Spine Health & Injury Center, we work as a team with our patients to not only mitigate pain, but offer a holistic treatment plan aimed at helping them feel better every day. If you're experiencing symptoms associated with a herniated disc in the Long Lake, MN area, Speak to a member of the Total Spine team today at (763) 568-7869 or contact us online for safe and effective herniated disc treatment.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
The spinal cord and nerve roots that send messages between the brain and the rest of your body pass through openings in each vertebra of your spine. Spinal discs act as cushions between the vertebrae. They are filled with a jelly-like fluid (nucleus pulposus) that allows for shock absorption and movement, and have a firm outer layer (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 add space between the nerves and where they exit the spinal column.
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 substance impinges on a nerve, it causes symptoms in the body part that that specific nerve is related to.
The human body has 23 spinal discs, and it's possible to suffer and injury to any of them. 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 having little to no pain. If the herniation is not pressing up against 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 usually reserved to either your right or left side. While you may feel some pain in the location of the slipped disc, 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 all the way down to your calves (this is often referred to as sciatica). Herniated discs in the neck tend to cause symptoms in your upper extremities.
- 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 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 can come and go, and may be more severe 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 affects twice as many men as women. There are numerous risk factors associated with herniated discs:
- Performing certain movements repeatedly
- Sitting in the same position for a long time
- Being overweight
- Lifting heavy objects
- Not lifting with proper technique
- Smoking
- Old age
- Not regularly exercising
How Are Herniated Discs Treated in Long Lake, MN?
There numerous treatment options for a herniated disc. At home, you may try over-the-counter medications and varying heat and ice therapy to the affected disc. But, eventually, it's best to see a medical professional in Long Lake, 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, surgery.
However, the evidence demonstrates a chiropractor can also successfully treat a herniated disc. Furthermore, chiropractic care reduces the likelihood of surgery, and people with back pain who did not get chiropractic treatment are 1.5 to 2 times more likely to to fill an opioid prescription.
Chiropractic For Long Lake, MN Herniated Disc Treatment
Your chiropractic herniated disc treatment will depend on your specific situation. When you first see your Long Lake, MN chiropractor, your chiropractor may decide to 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 work with you to develop a holistic treatment plan that both eases pain and reduces your likelihood of sustaining another disc injury in the future.
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.
Chiropractors are most known for giving what's called chiropractic adjustments, or spinal adjustments. With various techniques, your Long Lake, MN chiropractor carry out give quick, targeted thrusts to safely return vertebrae and discs to where they should be, 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. This technique involves using quick thrusts over each joint, one at a time, to correctly align the spine and improve function. 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 uses a specially designed table with independent segments to facilitate gentle and rhythmic adjustments. Your chiropractor will leverage the movements of the table to stretch and decompress the spine, and reduce pressure on problematic 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 draws the disc away from the affected nerve. Your Long Lake, 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 during your session to further improve mobility.
Other Treatments
The herniated disc treatment you receive from your Long Lake, MN chiropractor does not begin and end at chiropractic adjustments. At Total Spine, strive to get to know our clients in their total health journey. We may also incorporate the following in your tailored herniated disc treatment plan in Long Lake, MN:
- Massage therapy — Beyond just a chiropractor, our team also includes a licensed massage therapist. When a nerve is compressed, it restricts the movement of related muscles. Massage therapy can help reduce that tension. Massage is especially good at helping people whose symptoms include muscle spasms.
- Posture correction — Good posture can not only help prevent herniated discs, but can reduce the likelihood of symptoms reemerging down the road. Appropriate posture keeps your spine in correct alignment and prevents unequal weight distribution. 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 Long Lake, MN, your treatment plan will be personally tailored to you, and we will put you on the best path forward toward living your best life.
Call Total Spine For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Long Lake, MN
Most herniated discs do not require surgery or other invasive methods. With professional chiropractic care in Long Lake, MN, you can ease the symptoms related to your herniated disc, 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 our team at Total Spine today at (763) 568-7869 or contact us online for herniated disc treatment in Long Lake, MN today.
