Chiropractic treatment includes spinal adjustment techniques to treat your pain complications. The treatment approach is new, and a licensed chiropractor performs this adjustment process using their hands or specially designed instruments. Since it does not prescribe medicines, chiropractic treatment does not cause any side effects, although patients sometimes experience sore muscles because of the adjustment. But, it is completely common. Among a wide range of complications, a herniated disc is one of them treated by a chiropractor.

What is a herniated disc?

A herniated disc is a problem with the rubbery cushion that stays between each bone that makes your spine. Your spinal disc is made of a soft-jelly like centre, which is called the nucleus, and it is covered with a tougher exterior called the annulus. Herniated discs happen when the jelly-like substance pushes through the exterior wall of the annulus.

A herniated disc can develop in any section of your spine, and it can irritate the nearby nerve also. It can cause numbness and pain. The problem can also be known as slipped discs or ruptured discs.

Symptoms:

When you are suffering from this complication, you may experience pain and other symptoms listed below:

  • Arm or leg pain:

When you have slipped disc issue in your lower back, you may feel pain in the buttocks, thigh, and calf. The pain may be in your foot also. If the problem is in your neck, you may feel pain in your shoulder and arms.

  • Numbness:

People who are suffering from a herniated disc experience numbness or tingling sensation in different body parts.

  • Weakness:

Muscles near the affected nerve will also weaken.

You can visit a doctor for treatment. But, chiropractic treatment is an alternative treatment approach that you may consider for your health care. A chiropractor offers a non-surgical treatment option for patients.

Chiropractic treatment:

A chiropractor addresses the symptom of a herniated disc. When you first visit a chiropractor, he/she learns more about your health and medical record. You will be asked a few questions regarding your health. Your doctor can also opt for a physical exam.

A licensed doctor can even choose for orthopaedic and neurological tests also.

  • Your doctor checks whether your nerves send messages perfectly.
  • He/she checks the loss of muscle strength and muscle wasting.
  • Do you have a loss of sensations?

A chiropractor also checks your posture and suggest X-ray or MRI diagnostic tests, if needed.

Your doctor checks your spine:

A chiropractor always considers the spine as the core of your health. No matter where you have pain, it may share a connection with your spine. So, he/she first examines your entire spine even if you have neck or back pain. Any misalignment in your spine can influence the other parts of your body also.

A chiropractor performs tests to check whether you have an intervertebral injury or not. Remember that chiropractic treatment is not a recommended choice in some health situations. If you have cauda equina syndrome, where you have no control over your bowel/bladder accompanied by an intervertebral disc injury, chiropractic care is not recommended. A chiropractor cannot treat this situation.

A chiropractor does not treat health conditions out of the territory. In such cases, he/she refers you to a specialist. If you have a problem with the advanced loss of strength, sensation, and unusual neurological findings, your doctor may recommend a spine surgeon for your treatment.

When it comes to treating your herniated disc, you must know that most intervertebral discs are related to a herniated disc. There are many approaches a chiropractor employs for treating the complication.

Common treatment choices are:

  • Spinal manipulation
  • Manual therapy
  • Therapeutic exercises

Your doctor will decide which treatment choice proves to be very effective for your health. You can ask any questions regarding your chiropractic treatment to your doctor. He/she will answer everything for your health.

Some of the treatment techniques used for herniated disc:

Flexion-distraction technique:

a chiropractor uses a specialized table that helps in stretching your spine. It helps your doctor isolate the affected area by flexing the spine. Through this technique, the affected disc is kept away from the nerve, reducing pain and other discomforts you experience.

Your doctor may also add other treatment methods along with this technique, including ultrasound, muscle stimulation, physiotherapy, supplementation, and at-home treatments. Your chiropractor will check your health complications perfectly.

Manipulation under anaesthesia:

This treatment is conducted in a conventional health care centre or in a hospital. Here, twilight sleep anaesthesia is performed, which lasts as short as 6 minutes. A chiropractor manipulates the affected area, keeping your body in a relaxed position.

Chiropractic care is still a new alternative treatment approach, and it has many myths around it. A chiropractor does not employ a forceful adjustment technique for the alignment. It is a safe approach for your health.

Author’s Bio:

The writer of the content is researching alternative treatment approaches for pain management. He is a renowned blogger and wrote many articles on chiropractic care.