A herniated disc is a painful condition that can be the result of a slip or fall, or can come on gradually as a result of degenerative disc disease.  Treating a herniated disc can be tricky, as doctors often lean toward invasive surgery.  Luckily, chiropractic care, like that provided by Chiropractic Associates, has been remarkably successful at treating and healing disc herniation.  Below, let's take a closer look at the causes, symptoms, and treatment available for a herniated disc.  

What Is a Herniated Disc?

The spine is made up of several individual bones called vertebra.  In between each of these bones is a small disc that acts a cushioning device.  This disc helps to absorb impact as a person bends and moves.  The disc is made of a hard exterior with a gel like substance on the inside.   Sometimes, through an injury like a slip or a fall, this disc can be damaged, causing it to herniate, forcing some of the cushioning gel to escape its casing.  A herniated disc can also be a result of degenerative disc disease as the disc becomes worn and brittle with age.  

What Are the Symptoms of Disc Herniation?

Pain associated with a herniated disc can range from a dull ache to a sharp and stabbing pain.  The pain will be located near the site of the disc herniation, which can be anywhere from the lower back to the upper areas of the neck.  Often, numbness will accompany the pain. This can be felt in the shoulders, arms, and hands for upper herniated discs, or in the buttocks, legs, and feet for lower disc herniations.  Often, people with a herniated disc will report feeling clumsier than usual, dropping items, or tripping more often.  

How Can a Chiropractor Help?

Many doctors will instantly turn to surgery in order to correct a herniated disc.  Chiropractic care offers a safe, practical, and non-invasive treatment method.  Chiropractic care works to restore balance and alignment to the body, ensuring that the skeletal and muscular system are in harmony with one another.  A chiropractor has many tools at his or her disposal to help treat a herniated disc.  This can include manual adjustment, medical massage, heat therapy, exercise, and stretching.  Talk to your chiropractor today about possible solutions to cure your herniated disc.  A chiropractor may use one technique or a combination of several.

At Chiropractic Associates we understand that living with a herniated disc can be painful.  Often, chiropractic care is very successful at treating a herniated disc.  If you are searching for a "chiropractor near me" be sure to contact our team at Chiropractic Associates, located in Middletown, OH.  To learn more about our services, or to set up an evaluation, call our office at 513-422-7776 to talk to our team.