A herniated disc occurs when a small portion of the intervertebral disc protrudes into the spinal canal. This can irritate the spinal cord offshoots, or nerve roots, and cause numbness, tingling or weakness in the extremities. Except in rare cases, surgery for a herniated disc is not necessary, according to MayoClinic.com, and the associated symptoms typically resolve with conservative care.
Chiropractic Care
According to a 2004 study published in the "Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics," chiropractic manipulative therapy, or CMT, is a safe treatment for herniated lumbar discs, especially when compared with other medically-accepted treatments for lumbar disc herniations. Chiropractic care, especially CMT, note the researchers, should be included in any conservative treatment plan for lumbar disc herniations. While CMT alone may be a safe and effective way to decrease disc herniation symptoms, it's often used in conjunction with other manual therapies and modalities to reduce a patient's discomfort and speed recovery. These include traction, trigger point therapy, soft tissue therapy called myofascial release, functional exercises and physical therapy modalities.
Physical Therapy
According to MayoClinic.com, physical therapy is an effective treatment option to avoid surgery for a herniated disc. A physical therapist may use heat, ice, traction, ultrasound and electrical stimulation to help relieve disc herniation-related pain or discomfort. Physical therapists may also demonstrate poses or functional exercises intended to reduce the herniated disc and speed the healing process. As the pain begins to dissipate, physical therapists will suggest a rehabilitation program that incorporates exercises to strengthen and stabilize the core muscles and spine. These exercises also help prevent future injury or a re-aggravation of disc herniation-related symptoms.
According to the Mayfield Clinic, one of the largest neurosurgical practices in the world, physical therapy is an effective, conservative treatment method to help avoid herniated disc surgery Physical therapists will use physical therapy modalities and exercise to help reduce or alleviate the symptoms of herniated discs.
Acupuncture
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, a division of the National Institutes of Health, back pain is the most common reason people use acupuncture. In 2007, the American Pain Society and the American College of Physicians created clinical practice guidelines stating that acupuncture is one of several complementary alternative medicine modalities physicians should consider for patients with chronic low back pain, of which herniated or bulging discs may be a contributing factor.
The NCCAM also suggests that acupuncture is an effective treatment for chronic neck pain. The neck or cervical spine is a common location for herniated discs, and herniated cervical discs can lead to chronic neck pain. A skilled acupuncturist can reduce herniated disc-related pain in many patients, although acupuncture treatments may not resolve the actual disc derangement inside the spinal canal. If the herniated disc is the principle cause of a patient's pain, the patient will need to seek acupuncture care on an ongoing basis to manage symptoms and avoid surgery.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Herniated Disc
- "Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics;" Safety of Spinal Manipulation in the Treatment of Lumbar Disk Herniations; D. Oliphant; Mar-Apr 2004
- Mayfield Clinic: Herniated Lumbar Disc
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Acupuncture for Pain
- "Annals of Internal Medicine;" Diagnosis and Treatment of Low Back Pain; R. Chou et al.; October 2007
