How A Chiropractor Might Help Your Herniated Disc

If you have a herniated disc, a chiropractor might be able to help. A herniated disc often causes pain far from the site of the problem. For example, if the affected disc is in your lower back, you can feel pain in your thigh or leg. The first thing a chiropractor does is examine your entire spine to fully assess your pain. He or she will also look at your medical history and your body mechanics to come up with a plan for treatment. Here are some of the treatment options that might be suitable.

Compression Relief With Wedges

A herniated disc causes pain because the disc presses against a nerve in your spine. This is called compressing the nerve, and one treatment for it is decompression. Your chiropractor might be able to achieve this by positioning your body and spine in such a way that pressure is relieved from the nerve. This can be done with pillows and wedges. By removing pressure, blood with oxygen and nutrients can flood the area to promote healing. Also, this may provide temporary pain relief.

Spinal Manipulations

Chiropractors are most known for their spinal manipulation treatments. During these treatments, the chiropractor adjusts your spine to bring it back into proper alignment. This treatment can be helpful if poor posture contributes to the nerve compression in your spine. Spinal manipulation can involve sudden, quick movements, or they can be gentle. Relief may be immediate, but for lasting results, you'll probably need several treatment sessions over a few weeks.

Decompression Table Therapy

Another way to relieve nerve compression is by using a computerized table. The chiropractor positions you on this table, and then the table moves in a precise way to open your spine. The computerized movement is very precise so it can target your damaged disc and provide relief in that specific area of your back. This relieves pressure on the nerve in your spine and it may result in immediate pain relief. However, an irritated nerve is usually inflamed, so it may need to heal before pain relief is permanent.

Physical Treatments

Your chiropractor has other treatments that can be used for pain relief and to speed healing. These include using hot and cold therapy, ultrasound treatments, massage therapy, and even physical therapy exercises. Some of these treatments offer pain relief while you heal, while the exercises help strengthen your back muscles for improved spinal support.

A herniated disc is often painful enough to interfere with your life, so you want relief from pain as soon as possible. Chiropractic treatments might be able to help with pain in a natural way that promotes healing.