Discs can Bulge, Herniate, or Rupture, resulting in other problems.
The disc is a small cartilage pad that is situated between spinal bones. The soft jellylike center is contained by layers of fibrous tissues. Each disc serves as a connector, spacer, and shock absorber for the spine. When healthy, discs allow normal turning and bending.
Since spinal discs have a very poor blood supply, they depend upon the circulation of joint fluids to bring in nutrients and expel waste. If a spinal joint loses its normal motion and this pumping action is impaired, the health of the disc deteriorates. Like a wet sponge, a healthy disc is flexible. A dry sponge is hard, stiff, and can crack easily. This is how many disc problems begin.
Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebra above and below it, a disc cannot “slip” as commonly thought. However, trauma or injury to the spine can cause discs to bulge, herniate, or worse, rupture. This can be quite painful, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots, interfering with their function.
The chiropractic approach to disc problems is to help restore better motion and position to the spinal joint. Besides reducing disc bulging, better spinal function helps reduce inflammation and begin the slow process of healing the surrounding soft tissues. We utilize Spinal Decompression Therapy to help correct these types of Disc problems. This non-surgical Decompression Therapy has shown excellent results for Disc conditions.
While results cannot be guaranteed, many patients have avoided needless surgery or a dependency on pain pills, by choosing conservative chiropractic care.
Low Back pain with leg pain, often diagnosed as Sciatica, can be a painful and debilitating problem that commonly interferes with walking, standing, sitting, and sleeping. In some cases it is difficult to find any comfortable position at all. Along with pain, symptoms such as throbbing, numbness, weakness, and “pins-and-needles” can also be present. Adding to the frustration of these symptoms, this type of leg pain is often initiated by a seemingly routine task, or in many cases has no cause at all. To make matters even worse, these leg conditions are slow to respond to traditional types of care, often creating further disappointment and aggravation.
Now for the good news, a relatively new treatment technique known as Active Release Techniques (ART) is proving to be a very effective method to treat many common leg problems and is helping to get those who suffer from Sciatica symptoms back doing their favorite activities. We also utilize non-surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy in treating Sciatica. These approaches have a very high success rate when compared to traditional Physical Therapy, surgery, or medication.
