Dr. Alex Hernandez explains how you get disc herniation and how to treat it.
Disc herniation can happen in many ways, such as car accidents, contact sports injuries, falls. One of the most common ways to get a disc herniation is to pick up something heavy while twisting your back. Another common way to herniate a disc is to reach into the backseat of your car to pick up a heavy back pack.
The disc is a jelly-like substance in-between each of the bones in your spine. The discs are like the shock absorbers in your car. But, if the force is too high, the disc squeezes out and compresses, usually to the back but sometimes to the side. When that happens it will squeeze the nerve causing severe pain, tingling, or numbness. When this pressure is put on the nerves, people can become immobile.
How do you get better? You must have training in disc herniations because they range in severity from mild to severe. Some disc herniations require surgery or injections. However, about 80% of disc herniations can be treated by a chiropractor conservitavely through chiropractic treatment, laser therapy, swimming, acupuncture, and other treatment programs.
For more information on treating herniated discs, contact Life Chiropractic & Acupuncture.
