New Hope, MN

Herniated Disc Treatment in New Hope, MN

Herniated disc treatment in New Hope, MN. Herniated discs can be painful, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Chiropractic care is a drug-free, non-surgical way to treat herniated discs and ease the pain. At Total Spine Health & Injury Center, we work as a team with the people we treat to not just safe help your pain go away, but offer corrective care aimed at helping them feel better every day. If you're suffering from symptoms associated with a herniated disc in the New Hope, MN area, call our team at Total Spine today at (763) 568-7869 or make an appointment online for safe and effective herniated disc treatment.

The Anatomy of a Herniated Disc

The spinal cord, which controls your body's movements, is protected by the vertebrae as it moves upward the spinal column. Nerve roots connect to the spinal cord through holes on each side of the vertebrae. Spinal discs act as cushions between the vertebrae. They are filled with a jelly-like material (nucleus pulposus) that asks as a shock absorber, which is protected by a firm outer layer (annulus fibrosus). When intact and functioning normally, these discs allow our spines to move in a variety of ways, and add space between the nerves and where they exit the spinal column.

A herniated disc is a spine-related injury that occurs when the outer layer tears and the inner disc leaks out. When the leaked gel puts pressure on a nerve, it affects the body part that that specific nerve is related to.

The human body has 23 discs in the spine, and any of them can become herniated. However, most occur in the lower back or neck.

What Are Common Symptoms of a Herniated Discs?

Depending on the specifics of your injury, the severity of your symptoms can vary greatly, and you may or may not experience pain. Many people with a herniated disc do not experience any symptoms for weeks, months, or even years after the herniation. People with herniated discs may experience:

• Pain — As the herniated disc disrupts a nerve, you can feel pain in the body part that nerve controls. The pain is almost always only on one side of the body. While you may feel some soreness in the location of the slipped disc, most pain will reach out 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 tend to cause symptoms in your upper extremities.
• Lack of sensation — Either alongside or in the absence of pain, you may also feel tingling in the body parts related to the nerve.
• Weakness and stiffness — The muscles controlled by the damaged nerves can weaken if symptoms progress without any treatment. Lack of physical activity stemming from other symptoms can cause the body to stiffen.

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.

Why Do Herniated Discs Occur?

About 2% of adults in the U.S. experience a herniated disc each year It mostly occurs to people between 30 and 50 years old, and affects twice as many men as women. Someone may be more likely to experience a herniated disc with:

• Performing certain movements repeatedly
• Sitting in the same position for a long period
• Obesity
• Lifting heavy objects
• Not lifting with proper technique
• Smoking
• Aging
• Not regularly exercising

Treatment Options For a Herniated Disc in New Hope, 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 varying heat and ice therapy to the affected area. But, if your symptoms worsen or won't go away, it's best to see a medical professional in New Hope, MN. A physician may prescribe 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, microdiscectomy surgery.

However, the evidence demonstrates that chiropractic can also ease pain and restore function after a herniated disc. Moreover, 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.

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Chiropractic For New Hope, MN Herniated Disc Treatment

Your chiropractic herniated disc treatment will depend on your medical history, activity level, age, and the specifics of your injury. When you first see your New Hope, MN chiropractor, your chiropractor will likely take an X-ray. They'll also test your pain level reflexes, strength, and sensation in the body part related to the damages nerve. Then, they'll come up with a personalized treatment plan aimed at getting you feeling even better than you did before your disc injury.

Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to treat herniated discs, including massage, traction, and adjustments. They will also often give advice on lifestyle changes, such as exercises to strengthen the spine and improve mobility.

When most people think of chiropractors, the think of chiropractic adjustments, or spinal adjustments. In these sessions, your New Hope, MN chiropractor carry out give quick, targeted thrusts to safely return vertebrae and discs to where they should be, easing symptoms and improving function. Spinal adjustments may involve any one or several of different chiropractic techniques:

The Diversified Technique

The diversified technique is used by over 95% of practicing chiropractors. With this technique, your chiropractor will utilize quick thrusts over each joint, one at a time, to correctly align the spine and improve function. These are what cause the "popping" sound most people think of when they think of chiropractors.

The Flexion-Distraction Technique

Also called the Cox method, this uses a specific type of table with individual segments to facilitate gentle and rhythmic adjustments. Your chiropractor will leverage the movements of the table to expand and decompress the spine, and reduce pressure on herniated discs. Sessions are usually pain-free and, in many cases, enjoyable.

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 New Hope, MN chiropractor will show you how you can do this for yourself at home. While at their office, they will also guide you through safe exercises with the wedges in place to get further benefit.

Other Treatments

New Hope, MN chiropractors offer holistic care that goes well beyond chiropractic adjustments. At Total Spine, strive to get to know our clients in their total health journey. Your personalized herniated disc treatment plan in New Hope, MN may also include:

• Massage therapy — Beyond just a chiropractor, we also have a licensed massage therapist on our team. When a disc impinges on a nerve, it restricts the mobility of the muscles that that nerve controls. Massage therapy works to free that tension. Massage is especially good at helping people whose 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. Good posture keeps your spine in correct alignment and prevents unequal weight distribution. We can also teach you tips for correct posture while lifting so you don't aggravate a herniated disc when you're physically active.
• Lifestyle tips — We want you to leave your herniated disc treatment feeling better than you did before you came to see us. We can also offer nutrition and exercise advice to reduce inflammation and make sure your discs are hydrated and healthy.

When you come to us for your herniated disc treatment in New Hope, MN, we will find out exactly what we can do to help you, and put you on the best path forward toward optimal movement health.

Visit Total Spine For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in New Hope, MN

Most herniated discs can be healed effectively with professional chiropractic care in New Hope, MN. With safe techniques that have proven to be effective, Total Spine will work with you to recover from your injuries. Call us today at (763) 568-7869 or contact us online for herniated disc treatment in New Hope, MN today.