We put our bodies - and specifically, our spines - through an enormous amount of stress during a typical day. When we're young, this stress rarely produces discomfort in our lower backs and legs. When we reach middle age, however, the aches and pain become obvious. Most people dismiss such pain as a normal part of "getting old." In reality, it is often due to a herniated disc, a condition that can be remedied with professional chiropractic care.
To understand the goal of chiropractic in treating a herniated - or "slipped" - disc, it's important to understand how it causes lower back and leg pain. This article will present a brief explanation of a slipped disc, and describe how chiropractors diagnose the problem. We'll then take a look at how the condition is treated.
A Herniated Disc Explained
Your spine is partly comprised of vertebrae, which are made of bone. Between each vertebra lies a small, cartilage-based disc that functions as a shock absorber whenever you move. For example, suppose you jump from a chair and hit the ground. Without the discs between them, the vertebrae would impact each other, causing significant pain.
The discs also support spinal flexibility. On its own, your spine would be unable to provide sufficient elasticity for you to curl up into a ball and roll along the ground. In fact, your spinal range of motion would be severely hampered without the discs in place.
In the middle of each disc sits a jelly-like material called nucleus pulposus. When people mention a "slipped" disc, they're usually referring to a bulging of the disc, or a rupture that allows the nucleus pulposus to leak. Both are typically caused by a collection of factors, including lack of hydration, poor posture over a prolonged period, and lifting heavy items.
Even though it may seem as if a single event (e.g. swinging a bat) causes a disc to slip, this is rarely the case. Instead, the disc has usually been placed under prolonged stress, and a final event triggered the pain.
Diagnosing The Cause Of The Pain
A chiropractor will take your history, test your reflexes, and look for signs of muscle atrophy. He or she will also examine areas influenced by the nerves impacted by the herniated disc. The purpose of doing so is to determine whether these areas suffer any degree of numbness.
Your posture will also be analyzed to help the chiropractor identify areas of your spine that may be suffering from a ruptured or bulging disc. Lastly, x-rays are taken for further examination of your vertebrae.
Are Slipped Discs "Popped" Back In Place?
A common fallacy about chiropractic is that treatment for a slipped disc involves popping the disc back into place using methods that employ aggressive force. This is inaccurate. In most cases, chiropractic care involves gentle manipulation with low-force methods. In the event such techniques are unable to remedy the condition, your chiropractor will likely refer you to a specialist, or a medical doctor for emergency care.
How Chiropractors Treat A Herniated Disc
The two most widely-used forms of chiropractic treatment are flexion-distraction and pelvic blocking. The former approach uses a special table that is designed to gently stretch your spine. Your chiropractor will use a variety of techniques to separate the affected disc from the nearby nerve. This lessens inflammation, and usually reduces the level of pain felt in the lower back and legs.
Pelvic blocking relies upon gravity and gentle maneuvering techniques to separate the herniated disc from the nerve. These techniques avoid the use of force. Cushions are placed underneath your pelvis so your body is positioned appropriately.
Lower back pain can be debilitating. While the underlying condition may occasionally call for emergency medical treatment, most cases can be successfully remedied through chiropractic.
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