Disc Injury Treatment: An Arlington Heights, IL Chiropractor’s Perspective
Up to 80% of people will suffer from lower back pain at some point in their life. It is actually rated the number one cause of disability. Lower back pain can often be the result of a spinal disc injury or damage to the discs within the spine, which is why many patients seek disc injury treatment in Arlington Heights, IL.
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. These spinal discs function to absorb shock throughout the body and allow proper movement of the spine.
Understanding Disc Injuries: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
When the joints are unable to function as they should, the discs begin to wear down and dehydrate over time. 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 within the lower back and/or pain that travels down the leg. This condition is commonly referred to as a bulging disc and can place pressure on the spinal nerves.
Symptoms of cervical (neck) disc bulges are neck pain and/or pain that travels down the arm into the hand.
Herniated discs are similar to bulged discs, with the biggest difference being 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 with pain traveling down the leg or arm. If left untreated, severe disc injuries may eventually require surgical intervention.
Chiropractic care not only ensures proper motion in the joints of the spine and reduces pressure on the discs, but chiropractors also use specific techniques designed for disc injury treatment. The sooner you are treated, the faster your recovery and the more likely you are to prevent further damage. We highly recommend getting evaluated by a chiropractor as your first stop in the treatment of your disc injury.
Many medical providers will prescribe muscle relaxers and painkillers, which may temporarily improve your pain, but they do not resolve the underlying problem. Chiropractic care for disc injuries focuses on resolving the root problem so your pain is less likely to return.
Signs and Symptoms of a Disc Injury
Disc injuries can affect both the lower back and the neck depending on which spinal discs are involved.
Common signs of a spinal disc injury may include:
- Pain that radiates down the arms or legs
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
- Muscle weakness in the extremities
- Sharp or burning nerve pain
These symptoms often occur when damaged discs place pressure on nearby spinal nerves. Early evaluation by a chiropractor for disc injuries can help determine the cause and prevent further degeneration.
Common Causes of Disc Injury in Arlington Heights, IL
Repetitive Motion/Stress
One of the most common causes of disc injuries is repetitive motion and stress. When the joints of the spine are not aligned and unable to move properly, 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 and can lead to damage of 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, particularly in the cervical spine 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 backwards toward the nerve roots, creating compression of the nerves.
Here at Sleigh Family Chiropractic, we will provide the care you need after your accident to get you back to pre-accident status. We will work with your auto insurance and/or attorneys to make sure the process is smooth and stress-free for you.
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 are not able to function as they should, they begin to wear down. This causes osteophytes (extra bone growth on the vertebra) to form on the bone as well as the 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/or 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 have begun. Chiropractic care can resolve the pain and slow the degenerative process, but we are unable to 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/or sneezing, which causes 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 to create a disc herniation or a disc bulge leading to severe pain.
Chiropractic care will ensure proper alignment and motion of the spine, which will reduce pressure on the discs. Additionally, it will also boost your immune system so you can fight off common illnesses.
Disc Injury Treatment in Arlington Heights, IL: Our Chiropractic Approach
Our chiropractors at Sleigh Family Chiropractic zero in on the source of spinal dysfunction that causes disc injuries. Reducing disc pressure, restoring spinal mobility, and supporting the body’s natural healing process are the goals of our disc injury treatment approach.
We begin with a comprehensive evaluation of spinal alignment, posture, and nerve function to determine the underlying cause of your disc injury. Your doctor carefully reviews your health history and performs a detailed examination, including spinal palpation, posture analysis, orthopedic testing, neurological scans, and digital X-rays when necessary.
Digital X-rays may be used when needed to identify structural problems such as disc degeneration, spinal misalignment, or joint dysfunction that may contribute to disc pain. Imaging helps us determine the safest and most effective areas for chiropractic adjustments.
A subluxation occurs when a spinal joint becomes misaligned or restricted. This can place additional stress on the spinal discs and surrounding nerves. Chiropractic adjustments help restore proper motion to the joints of the spine, reduce nerve pressure, and support recovery from disc injuries.
We provide posture guidance, therapeutic exercises, and lifestyle recommendations to help strengthen the muscles supporting the spine. Improving spinal stability helps reduce pressure on the discs and lowers the likelihood of future disc injury symptoms.
How We Treat Disc Injuries 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 begins with a detailed consultation with one of our chiropractors, who will carefully 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 very thorough examination, which includes palpation of the spine, posture analysis, orthopedic tests, computerized neurological scans, and digital X-rays (if needed).
The goal at the end of the evaluation is to determine if dysfunction in the spine and nervous system is the root cause of your disc injury symptoms and to determine what the most effective treatment plan will be.
Specific Chiropractic Care / 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 like they should, symptoms will arise. Subluxations put more stress on the discs (the spaces between the bones).
Over time this stress can contribute to disc injuries, including bulging or herniated discs.
Chiropractic adjustments are very specific movements that are 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 and function the best that it can and resolve your disc injury.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
When joints of the spine are misaligned or not functioning how they should, it can create muscle weakness and/or 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 that is to be done at home to ensure proper healing from disc injuries. 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. The accumulated damage causes weakening of the outer, thicker portion of the disc, which eventually allows the inner portion to slip through. This compresses the spinal nerves, leading to pain in the lower back and/or pain that travels 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 particularly effective for treating bulging discs and herniated discs and is commonly used as part of disc injury treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can chiropractors help with disc 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.
2. 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 spine, reducing pressure placed 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 and be prescribed muscle relaxers or pain relievers, which may temporarily improve the pain, but it will likely return because the underlying problem has not been resolved.
3. How long does it take for a disc herniation to heal?
The length of 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 to the joints and heal the discs.
4. 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 numb tingling sensation. It is always better to have your spine evaluated sooner rather than later because when left untreated, you may begin to develop worsened pain and muscle weakness.
5. 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 help restore healthy joint movement within the spine while reducing pressure on irritated nerves.
Start Your Disc Injury Treatment in Arlington Heights
Take the first step toward lasting relief from disc pain with personalized disc injury treatment in Arlington Heights, IL. The team at Sleigh Family Chiropractic provides targeted chiropractic care to help reduce nerve pressure, restore spinal function, and support long-term recovery.