“How can a chiropractor help a herniated disc?”
I am a 38 year old male with a herniated disc. How can a chiropractor help a herniated disc?
11 Answers
Your Dr. may be able to relieve pressure off disc
Some chiropractors have specialized equipment such as disc depression tables that help with herniated discs.
Yes.
Chiropractors will adjust the cervical spine to help improve disc height removing nerve interference. Disc herniations can lead to lack of mobility in the cervical spine and adjustments will keep you mobile.
Decompression or Traction Therapy is great for herniated discs.
As with any medical procedure or treatment there are no guarantees. Having said that, chiropractic treatment has a high success rate and a relatively low cost, compared with standard medical treatment.
There are varying degrees of herniation and for the most severe form where the gel-like nucleus has completely ruptured and is entrapped against a nerve or is dissecting the spinal ligament from the body of the spine, then surgery is usually necessary. However, the good news is that most disc herniations are not at that level of severity. Research has shown that:
90% of Herniated Discs Improve with Chiropractic
Dr. Neill H. Payne
90% of Herniated Discs Improve with Chiropractic
Dr. Neill H. Payne
Thankfully, yes. It’s something most chiropractors get amazing results with. Consult with your chiropractor to discuss their unique treatment options (adjustments, decompression, exercises, etc).
I have treated many patients successfully with herniated and/or bulging discs. Orthopedic or Neurologic consultation is important. Care must be taken to insure no aggravation of the symptoms with both the examination and treatment. The Doctor of Chiropractic must carefully monitor the patient’s progress. There are red flags that if they appear indicate a potential surgical case. Many individuals have herniated and/or bulging Disc and have no symptoms. In my opinion treating the spine is about function. Everybody's spine is different and responds differently. The goal is to make the spine work well within its own structural parameters. Stretching, exercises, posture, habits and activities of daily living can make a difference. It is important to get help from a licensed professional. Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) are trained to diagnose and treat all the areas of the neuromuscular skeletal system and can assist in developing a program for your individual needs.
A common chiropractic technique is the flexion-distraction technique, which can be used to help address herniated disc symptoms. Flexion-distraction involves the use of a specialized table that gently "distracts" or stretches the spine.
Chiropractors use different techniques to reduce the herniation and allow the body to heal from the injury. Cox Flexion/Distraction technique is a very effective way to reduce the herniation. Sacro-Occipital Technique is another effective treatment for disc herniations. There are many other tools and techniques that Chiropractors may employ to treat patients with herniations.
