Description, Symptoms and Treatment Options For Herniated Discs
Dr. Larry Van Such is a chiropractor in Columbus, Ohio. He treats injured workers, auto accident patients and general health insurance patients. He is always available for questions. Dr. Van Such also trains athletes from different backgrounds and sports on how to increase the athletic speed.
October 27, 2009 by Larry
Filed under Chiropractic Care | Exercises Fitness | Diet Nutrition | Miscellaneous
The disc is the material that lies between the vertebrae. Its purpose is to separate the bones from each creating spaces or openings where the spinal nerves can exit the spinal cord and branch to the muscles and organs. This discs also act like shock absorbers to the spine since they consist of a gelatinous collagen substance as well as water.
When a disc ruptures, it is typically very painful, so much so that patients initially have difficulty just sitting upright or standing.
If the herniated disc is in the lower back, or lumbar spine, it can cause pressure on the spinal nerves, sending pain down the legs, known as sciatica, since that is where the nerves are traced to. Lower back pain is certainly to be expected as well.
If the herniated disc goes posterior, it can press up against the spinal cord, and if this occurs in the lumbar region, can cause bowel and bladder incontinence.
If a herniated disc occurs in the neck, arm tingling, numbness and weakness may accompany it, along with the obvious, neck pain. This is because a group of nerves together, known as the brachial plexus, may become irritated. The brachial plexus is the group of nerves that supplies motor and sensory function to the upper extremities.
Aside from surgery, people may try steroid injections. While they help a lot with the pain reduction, it is only temporary, with the average relief span between 2-6 months.
Several years ago, a new procedure known as spinal decompression therapy was successful in getting the nucleus pulposus back to the center of the disc. Chiropractic care offices have been instrumental in bringing this technology to the forefront.
It has helped several people in our office avoid having surgery. For those fortunate ones, they cannot say enough positives about the procedure.
Still, for others, their condition was too far gone for it to be of benefit. We currently can help 3 out of 4 patients, or about 75% of the patients with spinal decompression for disc herniations. That’s a really good percentage, and certainly worth it considering the alternatives.
Thank you.
