Your spine is made up of individual discs sandwiched between each of the bones in your vertebrae. These discs are a small pad of gel-like tissue surrounded by a thick coating that serves as a cushion between your bones of your spine that help it to be as mobile as it is. These discs also serve as a shock absorber and prevent the vertebrae from rubbing against each other.
What is a herniated disc?
An injury to the spine, stress, or poor posture can cause the spine to become misaligned, meaning the weight is not distributed evenly across the disc. When this happens, the disc may “bulge” into the spinal canal or against a nerve in the spinal cord. The result is called a herniated, slipped, or ruptured disc.
Where can a herniated disc occur?
A herniated disc can occur anywhere along your vertebrae, although the reason why or effect it has on the rest of your body can vary. A herniated disc in your lower lumber or lower cervical area usually occurs because these areas carry the bulk of your body’s weight.
What are symptoms of a herniated disc?
When a disc is herniated, typically you will feel a sudden and sharp pain followed by a lingering pain or sensation. A herniated disc can also cause other issues throughout your body.
- Herniated discs within the lumbar region of your spine (lower back) can radiate pain along your lower back down to your buttocks, thighs, and legs. This pain is usually described as burning, tingling, or as a numbness along the area.
- A herniated disc in the upper cervical region of your spine (upper neck area) can cause pain in your neck, shoulders, and arms. A herniated disc in this region can also weaken your neck or use of your shoulders and arms.
Treatments for a herniated disc
Your spine is a specialized area that requires delicate handling. There are several types of specialist that focus only on the treatment of spinal injuries, however, treatment options may vary among each specialist. Some may recommend surgery immediately, while others may approach the issue more slowly by attempting to reverse the misalignment in hopes to reduce the pressure the herniated disc is causing. The choice of who to see for treatment solely lies within you. You know what is best for your body and how far you are willing to take your treatment, and never be afraid to get a second or even a third opinion.
A benefit of seeing an upper cervical specialist at the Upper Cervical Center of Brandon, is that our methods of treatment do not require any popping, bending, or twisting of your spine. We do not perform manual adjustments like general chiropractors do. We use the Advance Orthogonal approach for treatment, which is a painless and precise sound wave correction for the upper cervical spine. This treatment method realigns the head and neck to their proper positions, removing the interference and restoring balance to the body’s nervous system. Even if your herniated disc is located in the lower cervical or lumbar region, an Upper Cervical correction can help. We have seen that when the upper cervical region is properly aligned, the rest of the spine will follow.
