18 Sep Treating A Herniated Disc Naturally
The back is one of the most essential parts of the skeleton for holding up the body properly, however, it is prone to bulging or herniated discs. The spine provides support for the entire body and is made up of 24 jointed vertebrae and 9 fused bones. Each joint has the ability to slip and shift out of place to allow movement to be possible. A herniated disc occurs when small fibers tear around your spinal discs and push interior tissue out, much like a hernia. This can cause chronic pain in many patients and make standing, walking, or performing daily tasks very difficult. Many people opt for surgery for their herniated discs, however, we have found that less invasive options work well for rehabilitation. Find out what those options are today and how to fix your herniated disc the natural way!
How Do You Herniate a Disc?
Like we mentioned, the spine provides support for the entire body and is made up of 24 jointed vertebrae and 9 fused bones. Each joint has the ability to slip and shift out of place to allow movement to be possible. In a healthy body, these motions take place without you even noticing. However, a herniated disc occurs when small fibers tear around your spinal discs and push interior tissue out, much like a hernia. That interior tissue is supposed to stay inside the disc. When it’s pushed out, patients will feel intense pain and may not want to move around.
Some people are born with disc deformities and herniation, while others may herniate a disc and not even realize that something has happened. You may have a herniated disc for awhile and not notice symptoms or you feel pain right away. This generally only happens if the disc is located away from nerve roots and has no contact with muscles or tendons. Any damage to the spine could result in a herniated disc, especially trauma such as is experienced in a car accident. Other causes could include:
- Strain due to improper or heavy lifting
- A simple sneeze that puts just enough force on the spinal discs
- Sitting too long with poor posture
- Repetitive motions or activities, especially ones that involve the back or neck
- Wear and tear that happens with age
Symptoms and Risks
Most patients experience severe neck and back pain when there is a herniated disc present. This pain is usually sharp and spreads out somewhat in one particular part of the back or neck. You may also feel irritation in your rib cage, thighs, arms or shoulders, as these areas also support the body and have to support your body more when your back is injured. Some patients feel numbness throughout their extremities affected by the disc and experience other neuropathy symptoms. For many, there will also be muscle weakness and reduced reflexes and movement.
You never want to just ignore a herniated disc. The spine and back are what support the rest of your body. When there is a problem with one or both, your total body wellness will suffer because of it. Some spinal damage risks include growing older. The discs naturally degenerate over time. Jobs that involve sitting for long periods of time or involve heavy lifting can lead to spinal damage. Studies show that excess weight also plays a factor in back pain and can cause a herniated disc. Statistics also show that being male and smoking cigarettes both increase your chances for a herniation.
Treatment Options
A tip we can give you right now is to stay active and avoid a sedentary lifestyle. If you are sedentary, your back muscles will lose strength. Keep them strong by staying active. The American Heart Association recommends receiving 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week to stay healthy. Eating a diet rich in nutrients can also help keep your joints and discs healthy.
You don’t have to turn to surgery for herniated discs that are already present. We have effective therapies to help your symptoms and relieve your pain such as:
- Chiropractic care and spinal manipulation to release pressure on affected spinal discs
- Cortisone anti-inflammatory injections to provide long-term pain relief without narcotic medication use
- Massage therapy to help muscles and relieve swelling or pent-up tension
- Tracking of bulging discs that aren’t causing symptoms
- Medically-supervised weight loss to relieve strain on the spine and back.
With our treatments, you can be feeling better in no time without invasive procedures or hospital stay.
Help Your Spine
If you are prone to bulging or herniated discs, or if this is your first time with one, we can help! Back pain is something that is debilitating in thousands of people all across the country. You don’t have to be one of those people. Get on your feet and moving great today with our effective treatments. Call our Mile High Spine & Pain Center at (720) 507-0080 and get “back” your life today!