Slipped Disc Solutions
Chiropractors Can Help with a Slipped Disc!
A slipped disc goes by many names. Some chiropractors may refer to a slipped disc as a ruptured disc, prolapsed disc, or a herniated disc. The bigger question is - what is a slipped disc? The spine is composed of 26 bones which are called the vertebrae. Between each bone is a disc filled with a gooey substance which serves as a cushion for each bone in the vertebrae. When one of these discs ruptures or moves from its normal place, it can cause pressure on the nerves along the spine and is referred to as a slipped disc.
A slipped disc is one of the most common causes of lower back pain. The majority of people affected by slipped discs are middle-aged and older men. One of the reasons that men are more prone to experiencing a slipped disc is because they are more inclined to participate in activities or careers that require heavy lifting. Men between the ages of 30 and 50 are particularly vulnerable to slipped disc because during those years the elasticity in the back starts to steadily decrease.
What are the Causes of a Slipped Disc?
There are many reasons a person might suffer from a slipped disc. Excessive straining, improper lifting, and trauma such as a car accident are all ways that a slipped disc can happen. Lifestyle choices can also play a role in a slipped disc. Habits such as smoking, not drinking enough water, poor diet, posture, and a lack of exercise can all cause a slipped disc to occur.
How Do You Know if You Have a Slipped Disc?
There are two places a person might experience a slipped disc - in the back or neck. A person who experiences a slipped disc will always have symptoms that accompany the spinal injury. The symptoms for a slipped disc in the back are different from the neck. If the slipped disc is located in the back the person might experience numbness, weakness, or pain in the back or legs. Some patients have even reported pain around the anus or genitals due to the slipped disc.
If the slip has occurred in the neck, pain in the arm or hand along with numbness or tingling may occur in the shoulder or neck. The degree of pain a person has from a slipped disc could vary. If the slipped disc is located in the far lower back, there is also a chance the person could suffer from bladder and bowel problems as well. Because the symptoms of a slipped disc can cause discomfort in so many areas of the body it can be difficult for a patient to identify the problem.
In order to get a proper diagnosis, an experienced chiropractor would be necessary to determine if a slipped disc has occured.
Do I Need Surgery for a Slipped Disc?
In extreme cases a patient may have to undergo surgery in order to have the slipped disc removed. Surgery for a slipped disc should only occur after every other treatment has failed. The surgery is normally done with anesthesia and requires at least two days in the hospital. A patient that undergoes surgery for a slipped disc could take several weeks to completely recover. One of the ways a chiropractor may treat a slipped disc is with a very low thrust technique. They might also teach the patient how to do various stretching exercises as well as guide them on how to use ice or heat to relieve pain from a slipped disc.
How a Chiropractor Can Help You with a Slipped Disc
Chiropractic treatment is a great non-surgical way to care for a slipped disc and many chiropractors have the ability to treat a slipped disc with good results. Different therapies can be applied to the patient in order to alleviate pain and speed up the healing process of the slipped disc.
A chiropractor can help a patient compose a work-out regime that may prevent further deterioration of a disc, as well as helping to strengthen the person's back. The right exercises when done properly can strengthen the muscles and structures of the back. Many people who experience a slipped disc do so because of improper lifting. Chiropractors are focused on the techniques that should be used to lift heavy objects and can demonstrate and educate a patient on the proper way to lift to prevent slipped disc.
The good news is that most people recover from a slipped disc if they receive immediate treatment. A chiropractor can deliver the physical therapy that is needed to treat a slipped disc. With proper treatment, patients are able to return to their normal activities. About 80 to 90% of patients recover from a slipped disc withing a reasonable timeframe.
