Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Learn How Chiropractic Care Helps With Herniated Disc

By Linda Murray


Many things in life, such as accidents, repetitive movements, disease, or even simply moving incorrectly, that may result in some sort of back issue. The intensity of the discomfort may fall anywhere on the scale ranging from mildly uncomfortable to intensely debilitating. One spinal condition that can seriously effect one's ability to move comfortably is a herniated disc.

Often called prolapsed, or slipped disks, this situation occurs when there is an issue with the rubbery cushions positioned between each of the bones in the spinal column. A disk is shaped like a doughnut, and has a strong outer rim and a much softer center part. Its purpose is to absorb impact from movement and keep the vertebra which comprise the spine, from rubbing one another.

When circumstances such as a sudden sharp impact, any type of accident, or a weakness occurs, the spongy inner portion can be forced to protrude through the outside portion. Depending on its location along the spine, a person could begin experiencing some type of back discomfort or extreme pain. If the protrusion manages to compress a spinal nerve, the individual might also become numb in the back or an appendage.

The first signs that one may have a condition that needs to be treated by a doctor are the numbing and pain. Through diagnostic imaging such as a myelogram, MRI, CAT scan, or X-ray, the problem can be identified and pinpointed. Chiropractors approach the issue with a plan that is non-surgical and does not involve the use of pharmaceutical grade drugs.

Chiropractors actually assess the health of the entire spine instead of just the area the patient is complaining about. This is because an issue in one vertebral zone can either cause, or be the result of, a misalignment or problem in another spinal region. Their focus is not just on relieving the pain, but on addressing the source of it to minimize or prevent recurrences.

The primary means of specifically addressing disk issues are with a procedure known as flexion-distraction. In this technique, the patient is placed upon a specially designed table that gently stretches the spine through a series of gentle pumping actions. This type of movement can encourage the nucleus pulposus to return to its place in the center and remove pressure and stress from affected nerves, and reduce both inflammation and pain.

It is important to understand that these issues are rarely corrected with a single treatment, because the disk will actually require time to fully return to its correct position and heal itself. Multiple sessions, which may also include additional techniques such as muscle stimulation, ultrasound, supplementation, physiotherapy, nutritional supplements, and exercise, are typically needed. The chiropractor will determine which are best for the individual patient.

Not everyone is suited for the flexion-distraction technique, so a chiropractor might decide to utilize spinal manipulation or alternate approaches to address the issue. If they think that a patient's situation is to the point where it may be necessary to consider surgical procedures, a referral to a physician will be made. In chiropractic care, the focus is on determining what causes the pain and finding a way to alleviate it as completely as possible for better wellness.




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