Your spine is an important part of your everyday life, all your nerves are connected to your spine and if there are issues, it can cause pain and inhibit a normal lifestyle. If you think you suffer from a herniated disc, this is a must read for you.
Spinal discs are sensitive, spongy pads found between the specialized bones (called the vertebrae) of the spinal column. These discs act as shock absorbers and help cushion your bones. Unfortunately, herniated discs are very common;[1] the highest prevalence is among people aged 30-50, with a male to female ratio of 2:1.[2]
There are two types of herniated discs: protrusions and prolapses. A protrusion can occur if the disc bulges, pushing it out of shape. A prolapsed disc is one that bulges out so much so that it actually separates from the rest of the discs. Most herniated discs occur in your lower back (lumbar spine [95%][3]), although they can also occur in your neck (cervical spine).
You could develop a herniated disc from lifting something the wrong way or from suddenly twisting your spine. Also, commonly as we age, the shock-absorbing spinal discs loses water content and elasticity, making them stiffer and more prone to damage or injury. Any minor trauma increases the pressure of the disc’s central core and puts a lot of stress stressing on the outer layer.
A herniated disc can irritate nearby nerves and result in pain, numbness or weakness in an arm or leg. On the other hand, if the herniated disc does not push against a nerve, you may experience no symptoms at all.
A discectomy is the most common surgery used for herniated disks in the lumbar region. As with any surgery, there are risks from operation that include: a bad reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, infection, blood clots, heart attack, stroke, and nerve damage.[4] Risk varies depending on age, health, and type of surgery. Other surgeries include laminectomy, artificial disc surgery, and spinal fusion. However, most people who have a herniated disc don’t need surgery to correct the problem.[5]
A chiropractor or spine therapy specialist can help address back and neck pain and other symptoms from herniated discs. Treatment options may include computerized spine therapy by Divine Spine and therapeutic exercises. The goal is to relieve the pressure the herniated disc is putting on nearby nerves, so as to relieve pain. Chiropractic spine therapy at Divine Spine, are designed to relieve pressure on the nervous system and help the body release anti-inflammatory substances, which reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
At Divine Spine Yorba Linda in Orange County, California, we offer a unique chiropractic spine treatment which is more spine therapy, that is performed through electronic vertebral alignment (EVA). Our practitioners utilize the EVA system to help your body heal more quickly, stabilize, regenerate, and achieve optimal health, wellness, and performance levels. Our method is designed to achieve maximum safety and comfort while being highly effective.
A must note is that at Divine Spine, a personalized chiropractic spine therapy treatment does not involve any twisting or popping of the spine. This is what we pride ourselves on. There is nothing intimidating or invasive. There is surgery as well. We have helped many people to come right, to stay out of surgery. Our ultimate goal is to provide you with a gentle and measurable treatment plan that provides you a solution that fixes the root cause of your pain and discomfort.
Please also know that every patient has to be evaluated first by our spine doctor. Upon completion of the evaluation, we will invite you back in for a full review and our recommendations for a treatment plan.
Read about Dr. Sawhney’s personal story HERE
[1] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12768-herniated-disc
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2907819/
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2907819/
[4] https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/back-surgery-types#1
[5] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/herniated-disk/symptoms-causes/syc-20354095