
There are approximately five to 20 per 1000 adults each year who experience a disc injury. The injury most often affects the lumbar spine, which is the lowest part of the spine. However, they can develop anywhere in the spine. Getting relief from this disc injury starts with choosing the right care and learning more about it.
What Are Spinal Discs?
Also referred to as intervertebral discs, spinal discs are located between the vertebrae in the spinal column where they act as shock absorbers. Their ability to absorb shock is due to the fact that they are slightly pliable. At each level of the spine are nerves that run down the center of the spinal column. The discs also help to protect these nerves. The top and bottom of each disc is flat, and they are round in diameter. The spine has 23 discs.
$59 New Patient Disc Injury Health Screening
This thorough assessment includes a consultation, examination, and one set of X-rays, if needed.
How Our Disc Injury Care Plan Works
Get Out Of Pain
We pride ourselves on getting to the root cause of the issue to get you out of pain and keep you that way. Each chiropractor takes their time to really listen to and address each of your concerns.
Corrective Care
Structural problems demand structural solutions. Our care is designed to address the spinal misalignments and postural distortions that are causing your symptoms for long-term pain relief.
Find Stability
We aren’t interested in masking your symptoms. We’re committed to long-term well-being so you can take control of your life and be prepared for anything that comes your way.
How We Treat Disc Injury in Lubbock, TX
We take a comprehensive approach to treating a disc injury. This utilizes different steps and techniques to address your disc injury as it is unique to you and your total health.
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
The first step in chiropractic disc injury care is the consultation. We will evaluate the disc injury as well as your total health and medical history. This makes it easier to determine the best course of treatment based on your specific situation.
Specific Chiropractic Care In Lubbock, TX
This type of care goes straight to the root of the problem. We will help the disc material to return to its proper position and correct subluxation via the use of chiropractic adjustment.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
It is important to strengthen the muscles surrounding the spine to prevent the disc injury from occurring again in the future. This also helps to promote better mobility. You will work with your chiropractor and a trainer to develop an exercise plan that addresses your specific needs.
When a disc is herniated and outside of its proper position, this treatment helps it to naturally return to its proper position. It also promotes better nerve function by increasing joint spacing. This treatment uses gentle stretches directed at the spine.
Deep Tissue Laser
It takes time to heal this type of disc injury, but this treatment may help to accelerate the process. It allows for light energy to reach the damaged tissue through deep penetration. This helps to increase healing and reduce inflammation. Each session usually only takes approximately three to five minutes. This treatment can be combined with the others to promote healing and relief from your symptoms
Common Causes of Disc Injury in Lubbock, TX
There are several ways to experience a disc injury. Knowing the potential causes may help you to reduce your risk.
Repetitive Motion/Stress
If your repetitive movements put frequent strain on any of your spinal discs, this could result in wear and tear on those discs. For example, if you work a job that often requires you to be bent over or make awkward movements affecting your core, this could cause the type of stress that could affect the spinal discs over time.
Degenerative Disc Disease
This is a common condition that is characterized by the discs losing their strength due to wear and tear. It can occur as the result of getting older, or due to overuse or an injury. The discs are unable to repair themselves once the disc is damaged. While any disc in the spine can be affected, it most often affects the lower back and the neck.
Heavy Lifting
Physiological changes can start to occur with heavy lifting. This can increase the speed in which the discs become damaged. Over time, this could cause injury and result in disc herniation.
Auto Accidents
When an auto accident occurs, sudden impact to the spine is possible and this can result in a disc injury. This type of accident can cause annular tears, bulging discs and herniated discs, depending on the severity of the impact.
Respiratory Illness
It is possible to experience a disc injury as the result of sneezing and coughing. When you are sneezing or coughing, this can increase pressure on the spine which can result in leaking or rupture. Sneezing and coughing can also strain the back and increase the risk of a disc injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take for a Disc Herniation to Heal?
The location of the herniated disc and how severe it is and determine how long it takes this disc injury to heal. However, the average time for healing is four to six weeks. However, some literature says it can take up to 22 weeks, especially if you continue to do things that put stress on the injured disc. In most cases, surgery is not necessary. You can utilize noninvasive measures to promote healing of the disc injury and to manage your symptoms.
What Should You Not Do with a Herniated Disc?
Healing a herniated disc can be a delicate balance regarding what to do and not do during the recovery process. While some rest is important when you are healing, you should limit it to the first two days. After this, you want to be cautiously active. It is also important to make sure that you are not sitting too much, and when you are sitting, ensure that you are using proper posture and that your spine has adequate support.
Bending over can aggravate the disc injury and cause further pain. Make sure to avoid activities that require bending. You should also avoid stretching your back too much.
Adjusting your sleeping position can help to reduce your pain and promote healing. Sleep on the opposite side of your pain. You should also put a pillow under your lower legs. Adding some lumbar support is ideal if you sleep on your back.
You can gently exercise as you are healing, but there are some exercises that you should avoid, including:
- Sit-ups
- Twisting exercises
- Deadlifts
- Hamstring stretches
- Running
- Contact sports
Can a Chiropractor Fix a Pinched Nerve?
Pinched nerves can be very painful, but there are ways that chiropractic care can help to alleviate the pain. A chiropractic adjustment can help to reduce pressure on the nerve so that it can heal. With adjustments, you can improve your mobility and your disc injury pain. Massage can also be beneficial because it helps to loosen the muscles associated with the pinched nerve.
In addition, your chiropractor can help you with things like creating an ergonomic workstation and using proper posture to reduce pain and your risk of another pinched nerve in the future. They may also help you to create an exercise plan that can help with your disc injury pain.
What Does a Slipped Disc Feel Like?
Pain is the most common symptom, and it can affect the extremities that are associated with the nerves being pressed on by the slipped disc. Certain movements can increase the pain. You might notice that it is worse at night. The pain can increase when you are sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time.
$59 New Patient Disc Injury Health Screening
This thorough assessment includes a consultation, examination, and one set of X-rays, if needed.