Non-surgical Approach for Disc Herniations

 A common cause for neck and back pain can be a disc herniation.  Other names for disc herniation can be ruptured, slipped, or bulging disc.  These all fall under the category of a herniation.  This happens when the gel-like substance of our spine breaks through the tire-like structure of our discs.  Our spinal discs act like a shock absorber to keep our spines moving safely and effectively daily.  Disc herniation are extremely painful and can also cause other symptoms such as numbness, tingling, weakness, inflammation, and even loss of muscle control because of the compression of the nerve root coming out of the spinal column.  Inflammation especially is important to pay note to because most of the inflammation is internal, and often gets overlooked by traditional treatments for a disc herniation.  A recent research study sought to understand how inflammation directly effects lumbar disc herniation and degeneration and treatment options.  Researchers found that inflammatory responses could trigger and be an indicator for lumbar disc herniation and even spontaneous regression of the herniated disc.  Our office offers several different non-surgical options for disc herniation including chiropractic adjustments, cervical decompression, lumbar decompression, and rehabilitation exercises.  Non-surgical treatments offer less risk and side effects and have better long-term outcomes than surgical treatment for herniated discs.  By removing the internal inflammation and correct neurological imbalances the body is allowed to heal the disc by increasing absorption (or better re absorption) of the disc into its proper place.  While the option for drugs or surgery will always be there, they should be utilized as a last resort instead of a first option when there are many non-surgical interventions that produce great results!

Yours in health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

 

Cunha, C., Silva, A. J., Pereira, P., Vaz, R. Goncalves, R.M., & Barosa, M. A. (2018). The inflammatory response in the regression of lumbar disc herniation. Arthritis Research and Therapy, 1-9.