“Can you push a herniated disc back into place?”
I was diagnosed with a herniated disc. What are the treatment options? Can you push a herniated disc back into place?
8 Answers
It is not possible to push a herniated disc back into place through external manipulation. A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disc protrudes through a tear in the outer layer of the disc, which can put pressure on nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the affected area.
Many people experience relief from the symptoms of a herniated disc through conservative treatments such as chiropractic, medication, or rest. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the herniated disc and alleviate symptoms.
If you suspect you have a herniated disc, it is crucial to seek medical attention from a chiropractor or medical doctor. Untreated cases can lead to severe complications. Your healthcare provider can make an accurate diagnosis and devise the most suitable treatment plan for your particular condition.
Proper evaluation by your Chiropractic Physician can give a good treatment plan.
Herniated disc can be restored depending on the extent of extrusion. the non surgical treatment involves the utilization of protocols designed by Dr. Norman Shealy, a Harvard University Neurosurgeon . Dr. Shealy designed the spinal decompression protocols that have a 92 % efficacy of disc restoration. Disc Centers of America Doctors such as myself have this technology of restoration and pain relief. For more information if you have any questions please email us at info@dcoadmv.com
No, you cannot push a disc back in place but you can change the pressure in the disc that caused it to bulge and reduce the bulge.
I do both traction and specific Chiropractic adjustments and get great results for patients suffering from a herniated disc. Flexion Distraction, which is a Chiropractic technique that uses a specific table, works well for this problem, naturally “pushing” the herniated disc back where it belongs. This decreases pain and improves function for patients.
Not exactly. Each case is different but usually, through traction/decompression type therapy, a negative pressure is created and the disc material can recede back where it belongs. This in combination with exercises to strengthen the core and the back work very well. There are times when the herniation is so large or it fragments that these options are more challenging.
You can't push a herniated disc back into place, but you can decompress the disc and pull the herniated part of the disc back inside the disc. This procedure is called decompression. It works on the same principle as an iron lung does when it draws air into the lung so you can breathe. You will find this procedure in a chiropractor's office. I personally have been doing decompression in my office since 1995. It is not a 100% cure rate, but your chances of having a good and lasting outcome are much better than surgery.
No, once a disc is herniated it will remain that way. The treatment options would include active physical therapy with a focus on core strengthening as well as extension type exercises, injections and if these treatments fail ultimately surgery would be an option. There are some people that will also advocate for what they call spinal decompression, basically lumbar traction, again this is a good option in combination with strengthening, but it is not a standalone treatment. For a lot of my patients with disc injuries I start them off in aquatic therapy. These are the ways that water's natural properties create an ideal therapeutic environment:
Warm water provides a relaxing and soothing environment for aching joints and muscles.
Water's natural viscosity or resistance can be used for muscle strengthening and increasing rehabilitation progressions.
Buoyancy allows for flotation and reduces the effects of gravity on injured or aching joints and muscles.
Hydrostatic pressure supports and stabilizes the client, allowing people with balance deficits to perform exercises without a fear of falling, decreasing pain and improving cardiovascular return.
Turbulence and wave propagation let the therapist gently manipulate the client through the desired exercises.
The respiratory muscles are forced to work harder in the water, allowing for a natural strengthening that benefits the client long after the therapy session has ended.
Following aquatic therapy I progress them to land based active core strengthening.
Warm water provides a relaxing and soothing environment for aching joints and muscles.
Water's natural viscosity or resistance can be used for muscle strengthening and increasing rehabilitation progressions.
Buoyancy allows for flotation and reduces the effects of gravity on injured or aching joints and muscles.
Hydrostatic pressure supports and stabilizes the client, allowing people with balance deficits to perform exercises without a fear of falling, decreasing pain and improving cardiovascular return.
Turbulence and wave propagation let the therapist gently manipulate the client through the desired exercises.
The respiratory muscles are forced to work harder in the water, allowing for a natural strengthening that benefits the client long after the therapy session has ended.
Following aquatic therapy I progress them to land based active core strengthening.
