Herniated Disc Treatment from Our Nashville, TN, Chiropractor

Among the many other potential sources of neck and back pain is a herniated disc. What is a herniated disc? How do you know you have one? And how do you treat it if you do? Our team at Donelson Chiropractic Clinic of Nashville, TN answers these questions and more in this quick guide. 

What Is a Herniated Disc?

Your body goes through a lot of stress and shock with every move you make. If your bones were stacked directly on top of one another, those movements would be incredibly uncomfortable and the bones wouldn’t last for long.

Fortunately, this is not something you have to worry about. Cushions or discs sit between the bones to absorb and distribute the shock that movement creates. These discs consist of an outer shell filled with a jelly-like substance.

At times, these discs become damaged and the inner substance spills out through a crack in the outer shell. Such a condition is called a herniated disc. 

Symptoms of a Herniated Disc

Some people are never aware that they have a herniated disc, as there are no noticeable symptoms. However, for others, the symptoms can range from mild to excruciating. The most common signs of a herniated disc include the following:

• Muscle weakness in the extremities
• Burning or shooting pain
• Numbness and tingling, especially in the extremities
• Inability or difficulty moving arms or legs
• Back, neck, or shoulder pain

These symptoms may be chronic, or they might only present themselves when you move a certain way or do a certain activity. 

Chiropractic Treatment for a Herniated Disc

Chiropractic care focuses on naturally treating the root cause of symptoms, thereby relieving your pain and decreasing the chances of it happening again. With a herniated disc, a major part of treatment is addressing what caused the disc to herniate in the first place. Often, it occurs due to misalignment, making spinal adjustments an integral part of treatment.

Another chiropractic treatment for a herniated disc is spinal decompression. This therapy gently stretches your spine, relieving pressure on nerves and muscles while pulling the disc back into its proper placement.

Adjustments and decompression therapy are often combined with other techniques to provide optimal results. These include soft tissue therapy, corrective exercises, nutritional guidance, and recommendations for enhanced health and healing in your daily life. 

Recover Naturally from a Herniated Disc with Help from Our Nashville, TN, Chiropractor

If you’re suffering from symptoms of a herniated disc or any other source of back pain, call (615) 889-1941 to schedule an appointment with our team at Donelson Chiropractic Clinic today.