There are many reasons why a herniated disc can occur. As the name suggests, herniated disc or slipped disc occurs when some of the softer ‘’jelly’’ of the disc pushes out through a tear in the tougher exterior. This could happen because of an injury, bad posture, pressure on the spine, weak muscles, etc.
There are many surgical and non-surgical treatment options for a herniated disc. And chiropractic care is one of the non-surgical treatment options. But a lot of people are fearful of chiropractors and often confused if a chiropractor can help their herniated disc. That’s understandable! The cracks and pops can be irksome, and when one is already in pain, the idea of having the body manipulated can be very frightening. However, a chiropractor can be a great “middle of the road” treatment that can help avoid or postpone surgery.
Are you looking for treatment options for a herniated disc? Before you shut down the idea of a chiropractor to treat herniated discs, you must read on! A discectomy decompression may be one of the best courses of action; but before going under the knife, it is only wise to explore less invasive methods to treating your back pain. Here’s what a chiropractor’s treatment involves and all that you should know about it.
What is Chiropractic Treatment?
A chiropractor is a healthcare professional who treats neuromuscular problems by adjusting or manipulating the spine. The logic behind chiropractor treating the body’s musculoskeletal structure to treat other problems is that if the body’s spine is aligned properly, then the body will heal on its own without surgery or medication. Manipulation is used to restore the mobility of joints, which is restricted by tissue injury.
What does Chiropractic Treatment for a Herniated Disc Involve?
A chiropractor in Greenville, SC will first perform a medical examination and use lab tests to determine if the chiropractic treatment is appropriate for your condition.
With the lab tests and diagnostic imaging, he will assess your muscle strength and determine whether your reflexes are working well. He will then examine your entire spine to see the overall functioning of it before beginning the treatment. (Not all candidates are suitable for chiropractic treatment. If someone has serious spinal problems, then the chiropractor may suggest an X-ray or MRI.)
There are several chiropractic treatments for your herniated disc. The plan may involve one or more manual adjustments in which the chiropractor manipulates the joints (also known as spinal manipulation), using a controlled, sudden force to improve the mobility of joints and quality of motion. The plan will also depend on the overall health, level of pain, extent of the injury, and other medical factors which your doctor will consider important for the treatment’s success.
Your chiropractor will also incorporate nutritional counseling and exercise/ rehabilitation into the plan. He will discuss the techniques to eliminate and self manage pain and give instructions on the correct posture – for the speedy recovery of your herniated disc and for a healthy spine. The doctor will continuously monitor your treatment plan and progress, and make the changes if required.
The goals of chiropractic treatment include the prevention of injury and restoration of function in addition to back pain relief.
Final Thoughts
Before you go ahead with any treatment option, it is important to ask the right questions and be fully satisfied with what your doctor has in mind for you. If your treatment causes discomfort or any other medical issue, you must inform your doctor.
You might also have to adopt a healthy lifestyle to support your ongoing treatment. Always remember eating right and living healthy will speed up any recovery process, so make sure you follow a good diet plan when getting yourself treated for a herniated disc.