If one or more of the discs in your spine fails, it can be extremely painful. The discs are very sensitive structures that act as cushions or shock absorbers to resist the forces of gravity on the spine and they also allow you to bend. They contain many nerves which are there for us to control movement and posture and importantly to protect the delicate spinal cord and nerve roots.
If the discs are injured possibly through poor posture, degenerative changes, or as a result of trauma, they can tear. This causes terrible pain, disability, numbness, tingling, and pain down the legs or arms.
What happens is that tissue bulges out of the failing disc and compresses the nerves where they leave the spinal column. This can lead to extreme pain along the course of the nerve, and, if the nerve supplies an organ, the organ can also be adversely affected with possible disastrous consequences.
Disc herniations are common, and because they are usually complicated by poor core-muscle strength and by the poor postural habits we see everywhere, it is important that they are treated by someone who truly understands the workings of the spine.
One problem is that because the pain resulting from disc problems is often so severe, many are sent straight to surgery. Unfortunately, disc surgeries usually do not remove the cause of the problem which leads to further surgical intervention, and eventual fusion surgery, which has a poor long term prognosis.
Most people are unaware that the discs between the vertebrae do not have a blood supply and that they entirely rely on the maintenance of full range of normal motion for their healthy life. As these joints move normally, nutrition and water are imbibed or sucked into the disc; further movement then pumps out the waste products of metabolism. Without this normal motion, the discs will inevitably lose water (so get smaller) and degenerate.
Fortunately, at ICC, we have a conservative, non-surgical solution to your prolapsed disc problem. During the first thorough consultation, a full case history, chiropractic, orthopaedic and neurological examinations will be performed, and any necessary X-Rays, MRI or other tests requested. Nothing is left to chance. Once we have all the required information, we will determine whether or not you are a suitable candidate for our rehabilitation programs.
We use specific spinal manipulations or ‘adjustments’, DTS Disc Decompression Therapy (a better advanced form of traction system to decompress discs) and spinal flexibility and stability exercises to improve spinal function. This work ensures the excellent results we consistently achieve.
By restoring the way your spine works, discs and soft tissues may heal, nerve involvement may be reduced, pain can ease and better stability can return.
This is one of the most common forms of degeneration or premature aging of the spine. What may initially feel like an achy back, indeed may be a signal that degeneration is starting. Chiropractic will restore better motion and position to spinal joints, which will reduce disc bulging. This will also decrease inflammation around the joints so that the slow process of healing the surrounding soft tissues can begin.