Did you know that disc herniations and bulges are very common, especially as people age due to the wear and tear on the discs in between the vertebrae. The spinal discs are little cushions that offer support in between the vertebrae and over time, become less flexible and more prone to tearing or rupturing with even just a minor strain or twist. When the discs become inflamed and irritate the nerves around the spinal cord, it can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in surrounding muscles. Those who are affected by pain due to disc herniations can experience a range of pain from mild discomfort to debilitating pain.
Common causes of disc injury include:
- Stress
- Poor biomechanics
- Poor posture
- Strenuous activities
- Repetitive stress
- Improper lifting
- Gradual degeneration of disc
- Traumatic injury
What are the symptoms/signs?
- Pain:
– Throbbing pain
– Constant pain
– Sharp or Dull pain
– A dull ache that gets worse from time to time
– Pain in the arm or leg - Fatigue
- Irritability
- Numbness or tingling
- Muscle weakness
HOW CAN WE HELP?
There are various causes or triggers that can elicit pain due to disc herniations. The most common being the little lifestyle factors such as how we sit, stand, and pick things up. By assessing the factors in an individual’s life that may be contributing to aggravating the herniated disc, we can determine the cause and treatment to better help alleviate pain and prevent it from happening altogether.
Our procedures include:
- Detailed medical history
- Posture Assessment
- Palpation
- Gait Analysis
- Functional Movement Analysis
- Neurological tests
- Orthopedic tests
- Digital X Rays (if necessary)
- Digital MRIs (if necessary)
Once we establish the cause of the pain, a customized course of care is determined to help alleviate pain and prevent it from happening altogether. During the course of the care plan, we will monitor your progress and address how well your body is healing and adapting. Every person is unique in their ability to heal and adapt to stressors, which is why we tailor our treatment plans specifically for each person. Our goal is to get you out of pain as quickly as possible so that you can get back to enjoying what you love.
An individual’s treatment plan may include some or all of the following forms of therapies:
- Adjustments
- IASTM- (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization)
- Myofascial release
- Corrective and strengthening exercises
- Laser therapy
- Lifestyle Recommendations
- Soft Tissue Taping