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Chiropractic Care for Herniated Intervertebral Disks

Sep 1, 2011 | By Josh Rahn
Chiropractic Care for Herniated Intervertebral Disks
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Chiropractic treatment offers non-invasive, drug-free treatment for spinal conditions that otherwise may require painful surgery or powerful pain medications. Herniated discs are one such condition that chiropractors specialize in treating. The treatment course includes a variety of techniques and approaches and can be modified to suit the needs of the individual patient.

Herniated Intervertebral Discs

The bones that protect the spinal cord, called vertebrae, have soft discs in between them to absorb shocks and allow for spinal flexibility. Injuries and normal wear and tear both take their toll on these discs. With a herniated disc, the jelly-like material inside squeezes out, leading to a number of unpleasant symptoms. These symptoms range from constant or intermittent back pain, numbness in one or both legs, muscle spasm, decreased reflexes and loss of bowel or bladder control.

Chiropractic Adjustment

An adjustment consists of moving a joint structure beyond its normal range of motion. A popping sound may be heard as the chiropractor performs this procedure. For herniated disks, the objective is to restore some of the flexibility to the spine that may have been lost due to the injury. Additionally, the herniated disc may be impinging one of the nerves emanating from the spinal cord. A professional adjustment may relieve pressure on this nerve, reducing pain, numbness and tingling sensations often associated with herniated discs.

Heat and Ice

In the early stages of a herniated disc injury, pain and immobility are likely the only things on the sufferer's mind. Both heat and ice are effective at relieving acute pain and inflamed muscle tissues. A cold compress dulls sensation at the site of application. Patients should be careful not to overexert themselves, as the relief brought by ice only masks the underlying pain and injury. Heat encourages swelling, which in turn speeds the healing process. Patients are typically advised to experiment with both heat and ice and discover which works better. Alternating between the two may provide optimum relief in many cases.

Massage

A deep tissue massage provides more than just relaxation. A 2011 study in the "Annals of Internal Medicine" demonstrated that back pain sufferers experienced less pain and disability when massage was incorporated into their treatment. Surprisingly, it made no difference what kind of massage the patients received. Chiropractic offices typically have certified massage therapists on staff capable of delivering both relaxation and structured massage. With structured massage, the therapist targets specific tendons and muscle groups in an attempt to alleviate painful conditions.

Electrical Stimulation

Both pain and swelling near the site of a herniated disc may be reduced with the aid of electrical stimulation. The chiropractor places a pair of electrodes on the back adjacent to the herniated disc. The electrical stimulation is then set at the highest level that does not cause discomfort. An electrical stimulation session may last 10 or 15 minutes, during which the patient is encouraged to lie flat and relax.

Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy

Chiropractors prescribe both gentle stretching and strength-building exercises to encourage the body to heal damaged tissues. A herniated disk injury forces the sufferer to alter his gait and posture to relieve pain. Underused muscles therefore become weaker, making healing and recovery even more difficult. Rehab exercises start slowly and then increase in difficulty as the patient gains strength. Usually, the patient will be expected to maintain an exercise regimen on his own time as part of the recovery process.

References

Article reviewed by Julie Mendenhall Last updated on: Sep 1, 2011

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