Can a Chiropractor Fix a Herniated Disk?
By Dr. Tim Fargo, Chiropractor
The short answer to this question is often, yes, but sometimes, no. Let’s begin by defining terms. A disk is the cushion between each of the vertebra (spinal bones). Discs consist of layers of tough cartilage with a gelatinous (jelly) center.
Sometimes, due to a single traumatic episode, or repeated micro trauma, the outer covering of the disk, the “annulus”, tears and allows the gelatinous center, the “nucleus”, to squish out. This becomes a problem because there is delicate and sensitive nerve tissue near the disk and, as you can see in the illustration above, a disc herniation can put pressure on and create irritation of that tissue. The illustration shows a compressed nerve root.
Some people, even with mild herniations, experience significant symptoms, including tingling, numbness, weakness, and even loss of such things as bladder and bowel control. Where they experience the symptoms depends entirely upon what part of the spine has a herniation. Herniations in the lower back cause symptoms in the legs. Herniations in the neck cause symptoms in the arms and shoulders.
One of the problems about answering this question is to recognize that often a herniation is not the only factor resulting in the person’s pain and disability. They will often have degenerative changes like arthritis, and also spinal misalignments (what we call “subluxations”). Sometimes, doing a gentle and specific chiropractic adjustment to the spine, even if it does not “fix” the herniation, will cause dramatic reduction in the symptoms associated with the herniation. This is because the symptoms are resulting from both the herniation and functional issues which the adjustment helps resolve. What I am saying is that, even if you have a herniation, it does not necessarily mean that you cannot be helped by chiropractic care. With time, and by reducing the stress on the herniated disc, it is often the case that the body heals herniations, re-absorbs the herniated material. Chiropractic care can facilitate that process. In addition, many chiropractors, including those at Chiropractic Health and Wellness, in Edina, have equipment to decompress and rapidly heal herniated discs. We call this process “Axial Decompression Therapy”. Decompression machines, really just fancy traction devices, create negative pressure in the disk and can gradually suck the herniated material back into the disk.
It is only fair to note that there are individuals who, despite chiropractic care, still require more invasive treatment. Epidural steroid injections are sometimes employed, and when we have patients who need such procedures, we refer them to the very best in the business. Similarly, there are rare occasions when disc herniations are so bad, and the symptoms and disability so intractable, that nothing but surgery will suffice. In those instances, we work closely with spinal surgeons to make sure that our patients get the finest care available.
If you, or someone you know, is suffering with a herniated disc, call Chiropractic Health & Wellness in Edina, MN to schedule a consultation and evaluation, and give chiropractic a try.
