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Disc Injury Treatment In Arlington Heights, IL

Up to 80% of people will suffer from lower back pain at some point in their life. It is actually the number one cause of disability. One of the primary causes of low back pain is a spinal disc injury.

The disc is the space between the bones of the spine. It is similar to a jelly donut in that it has a thicker fibrous outside and a jelly-like substance on the inside. The discs function to absorb shock through the body. When the joints can’t work as they should, the discs begin to wear down and dehydrate. This causes the outer fibrous portion of the disc to thin, allowing the inner jelly substance to bulge outward, which can put pressure on the spinal nerves. Symptoms of lower back disc bulges typically include pain in the lower back or that travels down the leg. Symptoms of cervical (neck) disc bulges are neck pain or pain that travels down the arm into the hand.

Herniated discs are similar to bulged discs, but herniated discs have experienced more wear and tear. Herniated discs typically arise when a bulged disc is left untreated. The outer fibers of the disc become even thinner and can actually tear, allowing the inner jelly-like substance to break through. The pain is typically more severe, traveling down the leg or arm. If left untreated, surgery may be the only option.

Chiropractic care not only ensures proper motion into the joints to the spine, taking pressure off of the discs, but we also use techniques specific for treating disc injury. The sooner you are treated, the faster your recovery and the more likely you are to prevent further damage. We highly recommend being evaluated by a chiropractor as your first stop in your disc injury treatment. Many medical providers prescribe muscle relaxers and painkillers, which may temporarily improve your pain but do not resolve the underlying problem. Chiropractic care focuses on resolving the actual problem, so you can be sure your disc injury pain will not return.

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How We Treat Disc Injury in Arlington Heights, IL

Comprehensive Consultation and Exam

We want to be sure that we know exactly what is causing your pain before recommending any treatment. Treating your disc injury first starts with sitting down with one of our doctors who will really listen to what you have been experiencing. We are always shocked when patients tell us they have never had as thorough of an evaluation with a doctor who truly listens.

Once we have a better idea of what has been going on, we will perform a thorough examination, including palpation of the spine, posture analysis, orthopedic tests, computerized neurological scans, and digital X-rays (if needed).

At the end of the evaluation, the goal is to determine if dysfunction in the spine and nervous system are the root cause of your disc injury and what treatment plan will be most effective.

Disc Injury Conditions Treatment Chiropractor Arlington Heights, IL

Specific Chiropractic Care in Arlington Heights, IL

As chiropractors, we treat what we call subluxations. A subluxation is a joint of the spine that is misaligned or fixated. When this happens, it puts stress and pressure on the nervous system, preventing the nerves from functioning how they should. When the nerves don’t function as they should, symptoms will arise. Subluxations put more stress on the discs (the spaces between the bones). Over time, that stress can cause the discs to wear down, making you more prone to disc injuries.

Chiropractic adjustments are specific movements performed on areas of the spine where subluxations are present. When motion is restored in the joints of the spine, the pressure placed on the nervous system and the discs is relieved. This allows the nervous system to function optimally, so your body will heal, function at its best, and resolve your disc injury.

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Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan

When joints of the spine are misaligned or not functioning how they should, it can create weakness and imbalance in the muscles that attach to the pelvis and the bones of the spine. For this reason, you will receive a customized therapy plan to be done at home to ensure proper healing. Motion helps the discs get the nutrients and fluid they need to rehydrate and heal optimally.

Flexion/Distraction for Lumbar Disc Problems

When subluxations are present within the spine, and the joints are not able to function properly, the discs (the spaces between the bones) become damaged over time. Accumulated damage weakens the disc’s outer, thicker layer, eventually allowing the inner portion to slip through. This compresses the spinal nerves leading to pain in the lower back or down the legs.

Spinal flexion/distraction is a technique that opens the space between the bones, restores motion into the joints, brings fluid and nutrients to rehydrate the spinal discs, and relaxes the musculature connecting to the spine. This technique is especially great for bulging discs and herniated discs as it allows the disc to restore proper placement between the bones of the spine.

Common Causes of Disc Injury in Arlington Heights, IL

Chiropractor for Sciatica Treatment in Arlington Heights, IL

Repetitive Motion and Stress

One of the most common causes of disc injury is repetitive motion and stress. When the spine is not aligned and moving improperly, wear and tear on the discs accumulates over time. Poor posture and repetitive movements are the most common examples of repetitive stress. Those with more manual careers, such as roofers, mechanics, and laborers, tend to perform daily activities involving more flexion and rotation of the lumbar spine. If the repetitive stress is not eliminated and the alignment in the spine isn’t addressed, you will be more prone to disc herniations or disc bulges over time.

Heavy lifting

Disc injuries can arise from heavy lifting. This can include weight lifting in the gym or daily activities like moving furniture around the house. Although we may think we are using proper posture, disc injuries typically arise when performing heavy lifting with improper technique or biomechanics. When this occurs, it puts added pressure on the discs damaging the outer fibrous portion of the disc, leading to a disc herniation or disc bulge. Along with adjustments to the spine, the doctors at Sleigh Family Chiropractic will also ensure proper function of the muscles used during lifting to ensure back safety.

Auto Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are another cause of disc injuries, especially within the neck, due to whiplash. Whiplash is a condition that arises when there is forceful rapid back-and-forth motion of the neck. This can push disc material backward toward the nerve roots compressing the nerves. At Sleigh Family Chiropractic, we provide the care you need after your accident to get you back to pre-accident status. We will work with your auto insurance and attorneys to ensure the process is smooth and stress-free.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease is typically an age-dependent condition that occurs over time. It can also occur from obesity, smoking, poor posture, and repetitive movements. Over time when the joints don’t function as they should, they begin to wear down. This causes osteophytes (extra bone growth on the vertebra) to form on the bone and thinning of the discs (the spaces between the bones). Both of these create compression on the spinal nerves, commonly leading to pain in the lower back, mid-back, and neck. It is best to get treatment earlier rather than later. Pain is typically the last thing to show up long after the problem and the degeneration has begun. Chiropractic care can resolve the pain and slow the degenerative process, but we can’t reverse all the damage to the disc and bone that has already occurred.

Respiratory Illness

Many people do not realize that respiratory illnesses such as the flu, the common cold, and bronchitis can also lead to disc injuries. These illnesses cause frequent coughing and sneezing, which cause a sudden increase in intra-abdominal pressure. This puts more pressure on the discs. Typically there are subluxations within the spine that can go unnoticed for years. When this happens, it causes the discs to weaken over time which makes you more prone to disc injuries. One simple sneeze could be the last straw triggering a disc herniation or a disc bulge leading to severe pain. Chiropractic care will ensure proper alignment and motion of the spine to reduce pressure on the discs. Additionally, it will also boost your immune system so you can fight off common illnesses.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can chiropractors help with disc injury problems?

Chiropractors can absolutely help with disc injury problems. Disc problems arise from joints of the spine being out of alignment or not functioning properly. This will increase the stress and strain on the discs of the spine. Over time the outer fibrous portion of the disc will start to thin, which makes you more prone to disc herniations and bulges. Chiropractic care will restore motion and realign the bones of the spine to reduce stress on the discs.

Is it safe to go to a chiropractor with a herniated disc?

Chiropractic care is a great safe form of treatment for a herniated disc. Chiropractic care will ensure proper motion in the joints of the lower back, reducing the pressure on the discs (the spaces between the bones). We have special techniques that we can use to restore hydration in the discs and ensure proper placement. Many people will first see a medical provider who will prescribe muscle relaxers or pain relievers. They may temporarily improve the pain, but it will likely return because the underlying problem has not been resolved.

How long does it take for a disc herniation to heal?

The time needed to heal a disc herniation depends on how soon you start treatment. The sooner you start care, the faster your pain will improve and resolve. The longer you wait to receive care, the longer it will take to restore motion into the joints and heal the disc.

What are the signs of a herniated disc in your back?

Signs of a herniated disc can include pain in the back that may travel down the legs. Pain can be described as a sharp shooting sensation or a numbness and tingling sensation. It is always better to have your spine evaluated sooner rather than later because, when left untreated, you may develop worsened pain and muscle weakness.

Can a chiropractor fix a pinched nerve?

When subluxations are present in the spine, the joints are not able to function and move properly, creating pressure on the nerves. This pressure can also be called a ‘pinched nerve.’ Chiropractic adjustments restore motion in the joints, taking pressure off of the nerves and reducing pain.

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Chiropractor Schedule Arlington Heights IL
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