Herniated Disc

Upper, mid- and low-back pain are common complaints among adults, especially low-back pain, which afflicts millions of North Americans every year. The causes of back pain are many:

• Muscle Strain
• Disc Degeneration
• Herniated Disc
• Facet Syndrome
• Spinal Stenosis
• Scoliosis
• Kyphosis

A disc is the plate that sits between two vertebrae within the spinal column. When a disc gets worn, its surface may erode enough that its thick interior fluid, which absorbs shock and keeps the spine flexible, breaks through, creating a herniated (also called a ruptured, slipped or protruded) disc. Once a disc's inner material leaks through, it can place enormous pressure on and even pinch the surrounding nerves, leading to pain, weakness and/or numbness in the head, arms, hands, legs, buttocks and, naturally, the neck and low back.  The best way to determine if a disc has herniated is to have your doctor perform an examination and perhaps an imaging test, such as an X-ray or MRI. Luckily, the majority of ruptured disc cases respond well to appropriate Chiropractic treatment by relaxing the surrounding muscles and simultaneously removing pressure on the affected nerves, allowing beneficial blood flow and movement to aid the body in repairing the damage. With proper care, the disc's outer layer will usually heal and allow for complete recovery.

Contact your chiropractor in The Villages, Etheredge Chiropractic for help with Herniated Disc. Call today: (352) 365-1191.