Have You Injured a Disc?

disc injury can be helped by a chiropractor

Have you been told that you have a slipped disc or a disc injury? Slipped or injured discs can vary from slight to severe, but most will require some attention from a trained chiropractor. It's important that you understand your condition and what it means for you. A chiropractor can help you develop the best treatment option for you.

Your spine consists of 24 individual vertebrae stacked on top of each other. Flexible cushions called “discs” live between each set of vertebrae. The term lumbar disc lesion means that your disc has been damaged. Disc lesions start when the outer fiber of the disc become strained or frayed, if enough fibers become frayed, this can create a weakness and when the disc is compressed the outer fibers may “bulge or “protrude” like a weak spot on an inner tube. If more fibers are damaged, the jelly within the disc may  “herniate” outward. The neck and the lower back are most susceptible to Disc injuries. In the Neck most disc problems occur at C5 or C6 and in the lower back, the two lowest discs, L4 or L5 are most effected. Smokers and people who are generally inactive have a higher risk of disc problems.


SYMPTOMS

Since the spinal cord and nerve roots live directly behind the disc, bulges or herniations that compress the nerves or spinal cord will cause pressure and inflammation. This can also cause severe pain and numbness due to the irritation of the nerves and can be very serious in many cases. In the lower back this is likely to create lower back pain that radiates into the buttocks or one or both legs. In the neck this likely to create neck pain that radiates into the upper back or one or both arms. If the disc bulge is significant enough to produce mechanical compression of your nerve, you may also experience loss of your reflexes, numbness, tingling and weakness.


HOW CAN WE HELP?

If you have injured discs, don't despair, there are options. With proper care, an injured or damaged disc may be restored to health. Getting you back to normal as soon as possible is our number one goal. To do that, we will likely recommend one or more of the following:

  • Joint manipulation to gently restore movement to your spine.
  • Therapy modalities to ease your muscle tightness, pain and swelling.
  • Myofascial release to remove your longstanding tightness.
  • Therapeutic exercise to restore your mobility and strength

If you're suffering from neck or back pain that you believe is caused by a disc injury, call our chiropractic team today at Morrison Chiropractic in Ellicott City or Clarksville to set up a consultation. The sooner you take control of your health the more options you will have for treatment.