Herniated disc injuries can be debilitating, impacting every aspect of day to day life. This injury is more common as people age, but can easily be treated with proper chiropractic care. Below, let's explore this common injury in more depth and learn how our chiropractor can help.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
Within the spine there are several small bones, called vertebra. Between each vertebra is a soft disc structure. These discs are donut-shaped and filled with a gel-like substance. As a person bends and moves, these discs work to absorb impact, cushioning the body's movements. Sometimes, the thin walls of these discs can tear or crack, which allows the gel substance to escape. This injury is called a herniated disc and typically occurs more often as people age. Advanced age generally makes the fibrous outer walls of spinal discs more brittle and prone to cracking as they lose water content.
What Are the Symptoms of a Herniated Disc?
Symptoms will vary depending on the location of the herniated disc. A herniated disc is in the upper back or neck, typically yields symptoms felt in the shoulders, arms, or hands. If located in the lower spine, herniated disc symptoms are often felt in the buttocks, legs, and feet. Pain ranges from a dull ache to a stabbing, or shooting, pain. Numbness and tingling often accompany this injury, which can extend through the extremities. People often report feeling more clumsy than usual.
How Can a Chiropractor Help?
A chiropractor works to restore balance to the body by making sure the muscular and skeletal systems are in alignment. When the body is out of alignment, undue stress can transfer to the soft tissues and bones surrounding the spine. Often, with herniated disc injuries, unnecessary stress is applied to the injured disc, which prevents proper healing. A chiropractor has several tools at his disposal to help heal herniated disc injuries, including manual manipulation, massage therapy, physical therapy, or electro stimulation. Our chiropractor may use a combination of techniques to treat a herniated disc injury. Chiropractic care offers a safe, non-invasive treatment option.
At Goldberg Chiropractic in Syosset, we care about your well-being. If you are suffering from a herniated disc, our chiropractor is ready to help. Our team is knowledgeable and caring, and we treat each patient as an individual. To learn more about how we can help, or to schedule an appointment, call us today at (516) 921-3566. We proudly serve Syosset, Oyster Bay, Woodbury, Jericho, Bayville, Plainville, Hicksville, and the surrounding areas.