Back Clinic Herniated Disc Chiropractic Team. A herniated disc refers to a problem with one of the rubbery cushions (discs) between the individual bones (vertebrae) that stack up to make your spine.
A spinal disc has a soft center encased within a tougher exterior. Sometimes called a slipped disc or a ruptured disc, a herniated disc occurs when some of the soft centers push out through a tear in the tougher exterior.
A herniated disc can irritate the surrounding nerves which can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg. On the other hand, many people experience no symptoms from a herniated disk. Most people who have a herniated disc will not need surgery to correct the problem.
Symptoms
Most herniated disks occur in the lower back (lumbar spine), although they can also occur in the neck (cervical spine). Most common symptoms of a herniated disk:
Arm or leg pain: A herniated disk in the lower back, typically an individual will feel the most intense pain in the buttocks, thigh, and calf. It may also involve part of the foot. If the herniated disc is in the neck, the pain will typically be most intense in the shoulder and arm. This pain may shoot into the arm or leg when coughing, sneezing, or moving the spine into certain positions.
Numbness or tingling: A herniated disk can feel like numbness or tingling in the body part served by the affected nerves.
Weakness: Muscles served by the affected nerves tend to weaken. This may cause stumbling or impair the ability to lift or hold items.
Someone can have a herniated disc without knowing. Herniated discs sometimes show up on spinal images of people who have no symptoms of a disc problem. For answers to any questions you may have please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900
Spinal disc deterioration from aging is normal, but health issues or injuries can advance the degenerative process. Disc protrusions are related to herniated discs but are the mildest form of the condition and are a common form of spinal disc deterioration that can cause neck and back issues. However, individuals may have a small protruding disc that can go undetected unless it irritates or compresses the surrounding nerves. Chiropractic care, decompression, and massage therapy can realign the disc back into position, relieving discomfort and pain.
Disc Protrusion
A disc is like a sturdy soft rubber shock absorber/cushion with added gel inside. The gel acts as a shock absorber. When the gel begins to protrude out slightly, this is a disc protrusion. Once a protruding disc begins to develop, it usually remains in that position. The disc can sometimes reabsorb on its own and realign back into position, but there is no way of knowing that will happen or how long it will take. With age and/or injuries, the body’s parts change. The spine’s discs dehydrate and lose elasticity weakening the discs and making them more vulnerable to herniation stages:
First Stage
Following natural weakening can be classified as a disc protrusion when the disc’s core begins pushing into the spinal column.
Disc protrusions can be tiny or push out an entire side of the disc.
Second Stage
Disc deterioration often consists of a bulging disc when the core pushes out farther around the circumference beyond the disc’s outer layer, called the annulus fibrosus, creating the telltale bulge.
A bulging disc involves more than 180 degrees of the disc’s circumference.
Third Stage
The third stage is a herniated disc, meaning the disc’s outer wall has torn, allowing the inner gel to leak out, usually irritating the surrounding nerves.
Fourth Stage
The fourth stage is sequestration, a herniated disc in which a piece of the nucleus breaks free of the vertebral disc fragments and falls into the spinal canal.
Types
A disc protrusion is one type of disc herniation that pushes out but remains connected. Different types compress and irritate the discs differently and produce various symptoms, including:
Paracentral
This is the most common, where the disc protrusion jams the space between the central canal and the foramen.
Central
This is where the disc protrusion impinges into the spinal canal, with or without spinal cord compression.
Foraminal
The disc intrudes into the foramen, the space through which nerve roots branch off the spinal cord and exit the vertebrae.
Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Chiropractic Care
Individuals with a disc protrusion can have symptoms similar to sciatica, which includes back, buttock, and leg discomfort, numbness, and pain sensations.
Treatment for disc protrusion will be based on the individual’s symptoms.
A chiropractor will take a detailed medical history and perform a physical examination.
A spinal MRI test could be ordered depending on the injury or condition.
A customized treatment plan will be developed to fit the individual’s medical needs.
Most disc protrusions improve after a few weeks of rest, avoiding strenuous activities, activity modification, an anti-inflammatory diet, and gentle exercises that the chiropractic team will provide.
True Spinal Decompression
References
Fardon, David F et al. “Lumbar disc nomenclature: version 2.0: Recommendations of the combined task forces of the North American Spine Society, the American Society of Spine Radiology and the American Society of Neuroradiology.” The spine journal: official journal of the North American Spine Society vol. 14,11 (2014): 2525-45. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2014.04.022
Mysliwiec, Lawrence Walter, et al. “MSU classification for herniated lumbar discs on MRI: toward developing objective criteria for surgical selection.” The European spine journal: official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society vol. 19,7 (2010): 1087-93. doi:10.1007/s00586-009-1274-4
Herniated, slipped, or ruptured discs affect 80% or more of the population. Most individuals don’t even realize they suffered a vertebral subluxation, as it shifted slightly but returned on its own and healed itself. Herniated disc/s symptoms can subside over time and can heal on their own. However, there are times when chiropractic is necessary to help the slipped or ruptured disc back into correct alignment and to help prevent re-injury or the development of new ones.
When Chiropractic Is Necessary
When an individual’s ability to move is limited is definitely when chiropractic is necessary. Individuals twist and turn their bodies, and the rotational force that comes from lifting and moving objects at home, work, school, sports, or lifting weights increases the risk of disc injury.
The lumbar spine or lower back is the most common location for a herniated disc injury.
The pain can spread to the glutes and legs, causing sciatica or sciatica-like symptoms.
When back pain spreads to the shoulder through the arm, it s caused by a herniated neck/cervical disc.
When the cushioning material from the disc/nucleus pulposus presses on surrounding nerves, it causes inflammation, pain, and numbness.
Individuals can suffer a herniated disc after changing a flat tire, stepping/slipping out of the bath/shower, or coughing and sneezing.
Healing
Herniated discs can be treated with ice packs and heat, over-the-counter medications, and anti-inflammatories. However, if these approaches are not producing results, chiropractic and physical therapy could be necessary to address the pain, reactivate the body’s healing system, and get the body’s circulation energy flowing. Exercises/movements are recommended depending on the injury to allow the musculoskeletal system to realign and circulate the nutrient-rich blood.
Evaluation
The chiropractic team must check if the individual is cleared for chiropractic care. Some individuals cannot undergo chiropractic adjustments because of the following:
The chiropractor will assess the injury and damage by evaluating the spine’s overall health, not just the painful areas.
They will inquire about medical history and conduct a physical examination.
Diagnostic tests could be necessary depending on the condition.
The team will evaluate the following criteria:
If reflexes are normal.
If there is muscle loss or decreased muscle strength.
If there is numbness or loss of sensation.
Loss of reflexes, muscle strength, and sensation could indicate the need for more aggressive treatment.
Depending on what is found, they may refer the individual to a spinal surgeon or specialist.
Techniques
Chiropractic focuses on restoring structural integrity to the body, reducing pressure on neurological tissue, and re-establishing a normal range of motion. With this treatment, pain and inflammation will be reduced or eliminated, and regular movement and reflexes will return. The body is realigned, stress is reduced, and the body’s natural energy can repair the damage. Adjustments involve:
HVLA is a high velocity, low amplitude short thrust to vertebrae that are out of position.
Mobilization involves low-velocity manipulation, stretching, and moving affected muscles and joints.
Joint cavitation expels oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide from the vertebrae and releases pressure on the affected area.
This technique uses a drop table while the chiropractor uses quick thrust and release manipulation.
Logan Basic Technique
This technique uses a light touch to level the sacrum.
Thompson Terminal Point Technique or Thompson Drop
This table technique adjusts with a weight mechanism to keep the patient in the correct position before the thrust is applied.
DOC Decompression Table
References
Danazumi, Musa S et al. “Two manual therapy techniques for management of lumbar radiculopathy: a randomized clinical trial.” Journal of osteopathic medicine vol. 121,4 391-400. 26 Feb. 2021, doi:10.1515/jom-2020-0261
Kerr, Dana, et al. “What Are Long-term Predictors of Outcomes for Lumbar Disc Herniation? A Randomized and Observational Study.” Clinical orthopedics and related research vol. 473,6 (2015): 1920-30. doi:10.1007/s11999-014-3803-7
Lurie, Jon D et al. “Surgical versus nonoperative treatment for lumbar disc herniation: eight-year results for the spine patient outcomes research trial.” Spine vol. 39,1 (2014): 3-16. doi:10.1097/BRS.0000000000000088
Wang, Jeffrey C et al. “Epidural injections for the treatment of symptomatic lumbar herniated discs.” Journal of spinal disorders & techniques vol. 15,4 (2002): 269-72. doi:10.1097/00024720-200208000-00001
Yussen, P S, and J D Swartz. “The acute lumbar disc herniation: imaging diagnosis.” Seminars in ultrasound, CT, and MR vol. 14,6 (1993): 389-98. doi:10.1016/s0887-2171(05)80032-0
The body is a well-tuned machine that is on the move constantly. The different systems like the musculoskeletal system, the immune system, and the joint system, to name a few, can help the body’s motor function to get the body from point A to point B. When injuries or auto accidents affect the body, it can cause various issues to affect the body over time. Many people who suffer from an auto accident injury will experience pain in the cervical and lumbar portions of their spine. It can be nerve-wracking as they are trying to comprehend what is happening. Today’s article will focus on herniation due to auto accidents, how it affects the spine, and how decompression treatments can help many suffering individuals with auto accident herniation. Referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is essential for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.
How Do Auto Accidents Cause Herniation?
Have you experienced pain in your neck or low back? Did you experience whiplash in your neck? Has the pain progressively gotten worse after the accident? Many of the symptoms are primarily the after-effects of an auto accident involving a person. After a person has been involved in an auto accident, the injuries and symptoms usually occur within a few minutes until the next day. Research studies have shown that auto accident injury symptoms like herniation occur when the cervical and lumbar portions are injured, causing symptoms like soft tissue strain and disc derangement to be accompanied by radicular pain symptoms. Auto accident herniation also starts to compress the surrounding nerves around the spine. It induces inflammatory markers in the affected areas situated in the neck and lower back. Additional studies have found that auto accident herniation also affects the thoracic portion of the back. Many individuals that suffer from herniation will experience posterior shoulder pain and upper/lower back pain from being involved in an auto accident.
How Does It Affect The Spine?
When a person has suffered from an auto accident, the after-effects do take a toll not only on the body but the spine as well. The painful, inflammatory symptoms cause the soft muscle tissues to become tender to the touch. Research studies have mentioned that the spine will experience possible fractures along the lumbar section of the spine due to the force impact causing axial compression and overstretching of the muscles and soft tissues, causing sharp shooting pain. This makes the back and neck succumb to more despair after the auto accident occurs, thus hindering a person’s quality of life. More research studies have shown that many suffering individuals experience lumbosacral radicular pain on top of herniation. When a person has been suffering from disc degeneration and has been involved in an auto accident, the cascading effects cause the intervertebral disc’s outer layer to rupture and allow disc material displacement to cause herniation on the spine. When the ruptured disc becomes herniated, it will constantly press on the nerve roots, and any normal reactions like coughing or sneezing will worsen the pain. Thankfully, there are therapeutic methods that help alleviate herniation and help restore function to the spine.
Mechanical Traction For Herniation-Video
Feeling uncomfortable pain in your neck or back? Have everyday actions like coughing or sneezing hurt your back when not supposed to? Does the pain progressively get worst throughout the entire day? All these symptoms are due to disc herniation caused by auto accidents and can affect a person’s quality of life. The good news is that traction therapy may be the answer for relieving some of the symptoms like herniation on the spine. The video above shows how mechanical traction is used for many individuals suffering pain in the cervical area of the body. Traction therapy is a form of decompression treatment that is either non-surgical or surgical, depending on how severe the pain affects the body. Traction helps the spine through gentle pulling, causing the herniated discs to withdraw from the compressed nerves and establish healing properties to remoisturize in the affected discs while increasing the disc space between the spinal vertebrae. Decompression/traction therapy for either the lumbar or cervical regions of the spine has many beneficial factors in preventing disc herniation. This link will explainhow decompression or traction offers impressive relief for many people who suffer from neck and low back pain herniation caused by auto accident injuries.
How Decompression Treatments Help Auto Accident Herniation
After a person suffers from an auto accident injury, the body will sometimes experience the painful effects the next day since the body has an adrenaline rush that masks the pain. When this happens, therapeutic methods help alleviate the pain and try to repair the body to be functional again. Research studies have shown that decompression treatments have helped many individuals suffering from herniation due to auto accidents by using unloading force traction from the therapy to reduce herniation on the spine. This opposing force helps ease the painful symptoms caused by disc herniation while the compressed nerves are relieved. Other research studies have mentioned that traction therapy, when utilized for herniation, causes vertebral separation to increase the disc space and decrease the nerve root compression. This allows the spinal ligaments to tense up, which is beneficial for the herniated discs to return to the spine and cause relief to the suffering individuals.
Conclusion
Overall the after-effects of an auto accident injury that causes the spine to become herniated affect a person’s quality of life. The painful symptoms cause compression to the surrounding nerve roots, sending pain signals to disrupt the brain and overstretch the muscles when the spine is injured. After the auto accident has occurred, the residual pain will cause tenderness in the cervical and lumbar portions of the spine causing even more pain to the person. Treatments like traction therapy allow individuals to find the relief they desperately need as the herniated disc is relocated to its original position and laid off on the nerve roots. Traction therapy provided beneficial relief to the spine due to negative pressure and brought back the spine’s functionality to the body.
References
Cornips, Erwin M J. “Crippling Upper Back Pain after Whiplash and Other Motor Vehicle Collisions Caused by Thoracic Disc Herniations: Report of 10 Cases.” Spine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 20 May 2014, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24718062/.
Hashish, Rami, and Hasan Badday. “Frequency of Acute Cervical and Lumbar Pathology in Common Types of Motor Vehicle Collisions: A Retrospective Record Review.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, BioMed Central, 9 Nov. 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5680606/.
Kumari, Anita, et al. “Effects of One-Fifth, One-Third, and One-Half of the Bodyweight Lumbar Traction on the Straight Leg Raise Test and Pain in Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” BioMed Research International, Hindawi, 16 Sept. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8463178/.
Oakley, Paul A, and Deed E Harrison. “Lumbar Extension Traction Alleviates Symptoms and Facilitates Healing of Disc Herniation/Sequestration in 6-Weeks, Following Failed Treatment from Three Previous Chiropractors: A CBP® Case Report with an 8 Year Follow-Up.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, Nov. 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5702845/.
Pachocki, L, et al. “Biomechanics of Lumbar Spine Injury in Road Barrier Collision-Finite Element Study.” Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Frontiers Media S.A., 1 Nov. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8591065/.
Suri, Pradeep, et al. “Inciting Events Associated with Lumbar Disc Herniation.” The Spine Journal : Official Journal of the North American Spine Society, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2010, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2919742/.
The spine provides many functions that the body requires when it is on the move. Without it, the body will not be able to stay upright and give the everyday movement that the body needs. The spine has three sections that provide an S-shaped curvature in the back: cervical, thoracic, and lumbar. These three sections of the spine have ligaments, soft muscle tissues, and spinal nerves enveloped around the spine to protect the spinal cord. The spinal cord consists of spinal discs and a spinal column part of the central nervous system. When acute injuries or traumas start to affect the spine, it can develop a bulging disc in the spine. Today’s article will focus on the signs of a bulging disc, how a person can distinguish between disc herniation and a bulging disc, and how decompression traction can help prevent bulging discs from developing further into herniation. Referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is essential for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.
Signs You Have Bulging Discs
Have you been feeling a dull ache located in your lower back? Does it hurt when you are sitting down and trying to relax? Or have ordinary activities been challenging to manage due to the excruciating pain you are experiencing? Some of these symptoms could be signs that a bulging disc is starting to develop as research has defined a bulging disc as a dull ache on the spine that is barely protruding out and is considered the first stage for a herniated disc. When the body starts to age naturally, so do the spinal discs, as these cushion-like discs between the spinal joints help absorb the shock that the spine goes through. When spinal discs lose their water retention and begin to stiffen up, it causes the outer layer to crack and release the inner layer to bulge out a bit. Other research studies have found that the inner layer or the nucleus pulposus can develop the process of disc herniation. When the nucleus pulposus starts to protrude out of the outer layer of the spinal discs can develop into other spinal issues like sciatica, herniation, radicular pain, and myelopathy.
Is It A Herniated Disc Or Bulging Discs?
A person can tell if they are suffering from a herniated disc or a bulging disc. As stated earlier, a bulging disc is where it is barely protruding out of the spinal column and is considered the first stage of disc herniation. For herniated discs, however, research studies have defined that herniated discs are commonly diagnosed due to degenerative spinal abnormalities that extend out and compress the surrounding nerves all over the body. Herniated discs can cause various symptoms ranging from a dull minor ache to radiating pain that travels down to the affected areas like the neck and lower back. Sometimes injuries can cause herniated discs or bulging discs due to the severity, as additional information has shown that nerve compression in the spinal canal is from disc bulging/herniation or can even degenerate muscle tissue expansion from overusing the back muscles. These causes start the development of a bulging disc or herniated disc and can cause immense painful symptoms to the body’s affected neck and back areas. Fortunately, there are accessible treatments that help prevent bulging discs from progressing further into herniation and reduce the pain from nerve compression.
Lumbar Spine Traction For Bulging Discs-Video
Have you been experiencing radiating nerve pain down your legs? How about a dull ache that seems to worsen throughout the day? Do you feel tenderness in your lower back or certain areas around your neck? You might be experiencing disc herniation or bulging issues affecting the cervical or lumbar sections of your spine. Why not try decompression or traction therapy to help prevent it from causing more problems? The video above explains what spinal traction does for the spine and how many individuals can utilize it. Spinal traction and decompression therapy allow the spine to be gently stretched out for the spinal discs that are herniated or bulging out to return to their original forms before the injuries that caused them to be herniated. This type of treatment allows the aggravated nerves surrounding the spine to finally relax and stop sending pain signals to the affected areas. Decompression/traction therapy for either the lumbar or cervical regions of the spine has many beneficial factors in preventing disc herniation and bulging. This link will explainhow decompression offers impressive relief for many people who suffer from neck and low back pain in the affected regions due to disc herniation.
How Decompression Traction Helps Prevents Bulging Discs
Decompression traction therapy is the best way many individuals can prevent disc bulging from progressing into herniation by utilizing treatment to help rehydrate the spinal discs back to their original function. Research studies have found that decompression/traction is adequate for many individuals suffering from herniated discs by improving the symptoms. With decompression traction, it allows the spinal column to be gently pulled, causing the herniated disc’s size to decrease and promoting relief to the body. Other research studies have found that decompression traction is beneficial for individuals suffering from acute low back pain and even helps improve lumbar range of motion flexion for the back. Decompression traction can help many people bring back their quality of life, knowing that there is a way to alleviate low back or neck pain.
Conclusion
Overall the spine can succumb to many unwanted factors or injuries that can cause the spinal disc to bulge or herniate, depending on how severe the injury has affected the body. With decompression traction, it can relieve the affected spinal nerves by pulling the spinal disc back to its original position. This gentle pull on the spine can help rehydrate the discs and repair the outer layers from cracking under pressure. Incorporating decompression traction as part of an individual’s wellness treatment will provide beneficial results that rejuvenate the spine to its original functioning state.
References
De Cicco, Franco L, and Gaston O Camino Willhuber. “Nucleus Pulposus Herniation – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 1 May 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542307/.
Donnally, Chester J, et al. “Lumbosacral Disc Injuries.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 12 Feb. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448072/.
Karimi, Noureddin, et al. “Effects of Segmental Traction Therapy on Lumbar Disc Herniation in Patients with Acute Low Back Pain Measured by Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Single Arm Clinical Trial.” Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2017, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27636836/.
Ozturk, Bulent, et al. “Effect of Continuous Lumbar Traction on the Size of Herniated Disc Material in Lumbar Disc Herniation.” Rheumatology International, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2006, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16249899/.
Shelerud, Randy A. “Bulging Disk vs. Herniated Disk: What’s the Difference?” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 5 May 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/herniated-disk/expert-answers/bulging-disk/faq-20058428.
Vialle, Luis Roberto, et al. “Lumbar Disc Herniation.” Revista Brasileira De Ortopedia, Elsevier, 16 Nov. 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4799068/.
The spine is an S-shaped curve that runs down the back from the skull down to the pelvic bone. The vertebrae that make up the spine helps keep the body standing upright and do everyday movements to function. Whether the person is doing physical activities, running errands, or even sitting down and relaxing, the body always ends up in weird positions that may look uncomfortable and cause pain without even the individual realizing it. The cervical and lumbar regions of the spine have succumbed to injuries that can develop into lower back and neck pain if it is not treated right away. Fortunately, there are available treatments that provide the necessary relief in both regions of the spine. Today’s article looks at disc herniation, how it affects the lumbar and cervical areas of the spine, and how spinal decompression can help relieve disc herniation in these two regions. Referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is essential for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.
What Is Disc Herniation?
Feeling muscle tension on your neck or your lower back? Does the pain seem to be a gradual nuisance or a dull ache? Do you often find that different positions work better for pain relief? If you have experienced these symptoms, it could be due to disc herniation in your spine. The spine works because it is enveloped with musculoskeletal soft tissues, ligaments, and spinal discs that help protect the spinal cord from injuries. When the spine suffers from an injury or naturally ages, the spinal discs’ outer layers will begin to compress and start to protrude out, causing pain to the body. Research studies have defined disc herniation as a common condition that affects the spine. Disc herniation causes the outer layers of the spinal disc to bulge out of their original position and start to irritate the surrounding spinal nerves that are spread out the entire body. When a herniated disc starts to press on the spinal nerves, it causes those nerve roots to send out pain signals to the affected areas around the spine and back. These compressed nerves can also cause spinal cord dysfunction or myelopathy pain in the areas that can affect the body’s sensory and motor functions.
How Does It Affect The Cervical & Lumbar Regions?
The spine’s two regions, the cervical and the lumbar sections help the body stay functional. The cervical area of the spine incorporates the upper back, neck, head, shoulders, and arms, while the lumbar section has the lower back, hips, legs, and feet. When disc herniation starts to affect either one of these two regions, it can cause severe neck and lower back problems. Research studies have found that cervical herniated discs are one of the leading causes of many people suffering from neck pain. Many people often tell their primary physicians that they feel muscle stiffness in their necks from ordinary factors like being hunched over for an extended period or from an injury that causes them to develop whiplash. The nerves surrounding the cervical section of the spine will cause an increase in the inflammatory cytokines to cause radiating pain symptoms to affect the upper body.
Now just like the cervical area being affected by disc herniation, the lumbar region of the spine will suffer as well. Research studies have shown that when many people suffer from low back pain, the leading cause is lumbar disc herniation. When the spinal disc becomes herniated in the lumbar section of the spine, it does the same thing where it compresses the spinal root. Other forms of low back symptoms that lumbar disc herniation causes can include sciatica and leg pain. When disc herniation starts to affect the lumbar and cervical areas of the spine, it can cause a person to have motor dysfunction and make them succumb to more pain. Luckily there are treatments to help reduce the effects of disc herniation by restoring the herniated disc back to its original position.
Spinal Decompression For Herniated Discs-Video
Have you been experiencing pain either in your neck or lower back? It seems that certain activities are impossible to do because you are in pain? Do you feel muscle stiffness in either the neck or lower back? If you have been experiencing these systems throughout your entire life, it could be disc herniation located in the cervical and lumbar regions of the body. The video above shows how herniated discs are alleviated through the DRX9000 decompression machine. Decompression treatments are utilized for many suffering individuals with either neck or low back pain looking for relief. What the DRX9000 does is that it gently pulls the spine to increase the disc height and reduce the pressure off of the surrounding nerve roots. Decompression/traction therapy for either the lumbar or cervical regions of the spine has many beneficial factors in a person’s wellness treatment. This link will explainhow decompression offers impressive relief for many people who suffer from neck and low back pain in the affected regions.
How Spinal Decompression Help With Disc Herniation
When disc herniation starts to affect the cervical or lumbar section of the spine, many people have found ways to try and alleviate the pain so they can continue with their days. Some people will incorporate hot and cold packs to reduce the pain to a dull minor ache, while others use decompression treatments to help restore their spine back to its original function. Research studies have mentioned that non-surgical decompression has helped alleviate the pain factors that herniated discs have caused by increasing the spinal disc height and providing stability to the torso of the body. When decompression increases the spinal’s height, it allows the herniated disc to lay off on the surrounding nerves and even provide relief to the affected areas. Additional information has been provided that the negative pressure produced by decompression allows the disc to be rehydrated and pressure reduced to the affected nerves. When people incorporate decompression for cervical or lumbar disc herniation, they will begin to feel relief after a few sessions.
Conclusion
Overall, having neck or low back pain is miserable when the pain starts to affect a person’s day. When the cervical or lumbar regions of the spine are affected by disc herniation, it can disrupt the motor and sensory to operate the neck or lower back, thus causing unwanted issues to make a person suffer in pain. Decompression therapy helps people by using negative pressure to gently stretch the spine and restore it to its original function without pain. Decompression therapy allows the herniated discs to return to the spine and lay off on the aggravating nerves around the spine. This will enable people to continue with their daily activities pain-free.
References
Al Qaraghli, Mustafa I, and Orlando De Jesus. “Lumbar Disc Herniation – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 30 Aug. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560878/.
Choi, Jioun, et al. “Influences of Spinal Decompression Therapy and General Traction Therapy on the Pain, Disability, and Straight Leg Raising of Patients with Intervertebral Disc Herniation.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, Feb. 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4339166/.
Dydyk, Alexander M, et al. “Disc Herniation – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 18 Jan. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441822/.
Kang, Jeong-Il, et al. “Effect of Spinal Decompression on the Lumbar Muscle Activity and Disk Height in Patients with Herniated Intervertebral Disk.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, Nov. 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5140813/.
Sharrak, Samir, and Yasir Al Khalili. “Cervical Disc Herniation – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 20 Jan. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546618/.
As part of the upper body, the neck’s job is to keep the head upright while providing motor functions to turn up, down, left, and right while rotating it counter and clock-wise without any issues or pain. Like the lower back, the neck is enveloped by the spinal cord, ligaments, and soft muscle tissues that protect the cervical area of the spinal column from unwanted factors and injuries. When undesirable factors or injuries cause neck issues, it can affect a person’s ability to keep their head upright. Many injuries or natural factors cause a person to look down constantly and cause tension in the neck and shoulder muscle areas that makes them hunched over. Luckily, treatments are available to help restore neck function back to the individual. Today’s article discusses cervical herniation, how it affects the neck, and how decompression treatments can help relieve the cervical area on the spine. Referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is essential for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.
What Is Cervical Herniation?
Have you been feeling stiffness around your neck and shoulder areas? Does your neck ache after hunching over the computer after work? How about the crick in your neck that seems to be irritating? All of these symptoms are due to herniation in the cervical area of the spine. Research studies have defined cervical disc herniation as one of the most common causes of neck pain in individuals. When the body starts to naturally age, the spine does as well. The cervical area of the spine protects the spinal cord through ligaments, soft tissues, nerves, and spinal discs, just like the lower back in the lumbar regions. When there are issues that cause pain in the cervical area, additional research shows that nerve root irritation can cause a wide range of pain in the neck. The pain can be mild to severe depending on the herniated disc’s impact and the severity of the neck’s injury.
How Does It Affect The Neck?
Research studies have found that cervical herniation can affect the neck due to the variety of symptoms that it causes. In the upper and lower segments of the spine, disc herniation symptoms are mainly caused due to compression along the spinal nerves, causing them to become aggravated in these two regions. Some of the progressing pain that the neck suffers from cervical herniation can affect one area of the neck, which is axial pain, or it can affect the cervical nerve root that travels down from the shoulders to the hands, which is known as radicular pain. These types of neck pain can be due to cervical herniation and cause a person to be miserable. Additional research studies have shown that when cervical disc herniation starts to progress further, individuals with a sedentary lifestyle haven’t found ways to alleviate the progressing pain that the neck is suffering from. Fortunately, there are treatments for relieving not only neck pain but can restore the cervical spinal discs back in the spine.
Cervical Traction For Neck Herniation-Video
Have you been experiencing muscle stiffness in the cervical portion of your neck? How about traveling pain from your shoulders to your hands? Do you feel any pain from stretching your neck from side to side to try and relieve it? Experiencing cervical herniation is no joke regarding your neck and spinal health. Why not give cervical decompression or traction a try? The video above shows what cervical traction does for individuals suffering from neck herniation. Cervical traction can provide beneficial results for people who need relief from neck pain, tension headaches, and migraines impacting their lives. Cervical traction allows the cervical herniated discs to lay off on the irritated cervical nerve and relieve the neck through gentle pulling. Cervical decompression/traction therapy has many beneficial factors in a person’s wellness treatment. This link will explainhow cervical decompression offers impressive comfort for many people who suffer from neck pain and cervical herniation.
How Does Decompression Therapy Help With Cervical Herniation
Since the neck helps make sure that the head is kept upright and unwanted circumstances and injuries occur on the neck, many treatments are there to help many individuals who suffer from cervical herniation or neck pain. Research studies have found that spinal decompression treatments for the cervical spine can help improve cervical disc herniation symptoms in the neck. What cervical decompression does to the neck is that it helps promote inflammatory absorption in the neuromuscular tissues while also enhancing and restoring the natural curvature of the cervical spine. When individuals utilize cervical decompression therapy for their neck pain, it helps them rebuild the lost biomechanical balance in the cervical vertebrae and promotes healing of the neck.
Conclusion
The neck’s primary function in the body is to make sure that the head is upright and can move around without feeling any pain or issues. However, just like the lower back, the neck can suffer from injuries like disc herniation, neck pain, and neck-related problems that can cause a person to be miserable. Cervical decompression/traction therapy has been a promising non-surgical treatment for neck pain by gently pulling on the cervical area, allowing the cervical disc herniation to be back in the spine and cause relief to the person. This treatment can be a part of a person’s wellness journey in finding ways to relieve pain one section at a time.
Dydyk, Alexander M, et al. “Disc Herniation – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 18 Jan. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441822/.
Sharrak, Samir, and Yasir Al Khalili. “Cervical Disc Herniation – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 20 Jan. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546618/.
Turk, Okan, and Can Yaldiz. “Spontaneous Regression of Cervical Discs: Retrospective Analysis of 14 Cases.” Medicine, Wolters Kluwer Health, Feb. 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6407963/.
Xu, Qing, et al. “Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression System Traction Combined with Electroacupuncture in the Treatment of Multi-Segmental Cervical Disc Herniation: A Case Report.” Medicine, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 21 Jan. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8772752/.
For keeping the body upright and on the move, the spine plays an essential role in allowing the body to do these ordinary functions. The S-shaped curve enables the body to rotate from side to side, bend back and forth, and twist without feeling discomfort. The spine is enveloped with ligaments, nerve roots, spinal discs, and soft muscle tissues originating from the spinal column; these components protect the spinal cord from being injured. When the back suffers from unforeseen circumstances or starts to naturally age, the spinal discs in the spine will lose their structure, causing them to shrink and become herniated, depending on how severe the pain is. Fortunately, there are treatments available for herniated discs. Today’s article will focus on wear and tear herniation on the spine, how it affects the back, and how decompression therapy can help herniation. Referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is essential for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.
What Is Wear & Tear Herniation?
Have you been experiencing pain shooting from your lower back to your feet? Does it hurt when you are doing daily activities like walking or running? Have you been experiencing muscle stiffness in your lower back or your neck? You might be suffering from a disc herniation from wear and tear from your spine. Research studies have defined that herniation on the spine happens when the spinal discs between the spinal joint columns are damaged. Natural wear and tear on the spine when the muscles have been overworked due to heavy lifting or when the outer layer of the spinal discs starts to crack under pressure, letting the inner layers protrude out of alignment of the spine and press on the nerve roots that are connected to the spine.
Additional information has provided that disc herniation is usually associated with DDD or disc degeneration disease and contributes to low back pain. When a herniated disc starts to affect the spinal column and press on the spinal nerve roots extending all over to work with the back muscles providing motor and sensory function for the body to move, it increases the inflammatory pathways to cause radiating pain to the body. Wear and tear herniation also causes the inner walls of the spinal disc to become weak due to dehydration when the outer layer is cracked. Research studies have also mentioned that the cervical and lumbar regions of the spine are susceptible to disc herniation due to spinal pathologies that affect the spine itself. Spinal pathologies can include RA (rheumatoid arthritis), fractures, osteoporosis, and infections associated with herniated discs that can cause significant issues on the back and make a person in more pain than they already are.
How Does It Affect The Back?
Disc herniation is associated with low back pain, but other spinal issues that cause disc herniation will affect the back even more, when it is not treated. When disc herniation starts to affect the spine, it affects the back, especially the lower back. Research studies have shown the spinal disc in the spine begins to protrude out, inflammation and nerve compression begin to affect the lower back, causing lumbar radicular pain. Other research studies have shown that lumbar disc herniation causes changes in disc height in the spine while shrinking the dural sac. This causes the spinal joints to rub against each other. At the same time, the herniated disc protrudes to compress the spinal nerve roots, thus sending sudden, throbbing pain all over the back, making the individual miserable.
Spinal Decompression Therapy For Herniated Disc-Video
Have you been experiencing aches and pains along your lower back? How about throbbing pain along your sciatic nerve? Does your neck or back feel stiff after suffering from an injury? These are all signs of low back pain associated with disc herniation, and spinal decompression can help alleviate these symptoms. Spinal decompression, as shown in the video above, helps many individuals suffering from low back herniation associated with low back pain. Many decompression machines help suffering individuals with a lumbar disc herniation through gentle pulling on the spine to restore the disc space and take pressure off the surrounding nerves. Decompression helps rehydrate the spinal disc’s outer layer and allows the substances to repair the outer layers. Spinal decompression therapy has many beneficial factors as part of a person’s wellness treatment. This link will explainhow spinal decompression offers impressive comfort for many people who suffer from wear and tear herniation.
How Decompression Therapy Can Help Wear & Tear Herniation
With lumbar disc herniation affecting the lower back, many treatments are available for restoring the spine from herniated discs. Research studies have provided that non-invasive spinal decompression is very effective for many miserable individuals from herniation on their spine. Spinal decompression allows the affected herniated discs to be reabsorbed back into the spine, allowing the spinal disc height to increase. This type of therapy allows the herniated disc to be taken off the compressed roots and reduces pain signals from affecting the lower half of the body. Additional research studies have found that decompression allows the negative pressure to pull the herniated discs back to the spine and is safe for individuals suffering from lumbar pain. The main goal of decompression therapy is to provide relief to suffering individuals by alleviating spinal and low back issues from their backs.
Conclusion
Overall, disc herniation is caused by natural wear and tear of the spine due to overusing the back muscles in the body. When this happens, the herniated discs are compressing the nerves causing low back pain and spinal issues, causing radiating pain to travel all over the body. Treatments like spinal decompression allow the herniated discs to be pulled back into the spine gently and take the irritating pressure off the nerve roots. When people start to take care of their spine’s health through decompression, they will feel so much better in the long run.
References
Al Qaraghli, Mustafa I, and Orlando De Jesus. “Lumbar Disc Herniation – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 30 Aug. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560878/.
Dydyk, Alexander M, et al. “Disc Herniation – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 18 Jan. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441822/.
Kjaer, Per, et al. “Progression of Lumbar Disc Herniations over an Eight-Year Period in a Group of Adult Danes from the General Population–a Longitudinal MRI Study Using Quantitative Measures.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, BioMed Central, 15 Jan. 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4714478/.
N;, Demirel A;Yorubulut M;Ergun. “Regression of Lumbar Disc Herniation by Physiotherapy. Does Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy Make a Difference? Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.” Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 22 Sept. 2017, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28505956/.
Oh, Hyunju, et al. “Effects of the Flexion-Distraction Technique and Drop Technique on Straight Leg Raising Angle and Intervertebral Disc Height of Patients with an Intervertebral Disc Herniation.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, Aug. 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6698474/.
Yang, Hao, et al. “Low Back Pain Associated with Lumbar Disc Herniation: Role of Moderately Degenerative Disc and Annulus Fibrous Tears.” International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, e-Century Publishing Corporation, 15 Feb. 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4402739/.
Zielinska, Nicol, et al. “Risk Factors of Intervertebral Disc Pathology-a Point of View Formerly and Today-A Review.” Journal of Clinical Medicine, MDPI, 21 Jan. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7865549/.
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