The spine contributes to balance, stability, and many of our everyday movements. Because most of us rely heavily on the spine’s proper function, when it’s injured, it’s important to get the help needed so it can continue to support us. 

Disc herniations are a common injury that occur within the spine. Herniations can go unnoticed for months or be incredibly painful, making exercise, work, and social engagements challenging. Chiropractors have a unique understanding of the spine structure and how its surrounding soft tissues should fit around it.

Healing a herniated disc quickly is often a patient’s top priority, and working with your local chiropractor can help make that happen.

In this post, we go over the following:

• What a herniated disc is
• Symptoms of a herniated disc
• Reasons you may experience a herniated disc
• Chiropractic solutions to help heal a herniated disc
• And more

Read on to learn all you need to know about disc herniations and how you can get the help you need to heal your spine. 

What is a Herniated Disc?

The spine is a complex structure starting from the lower back and running up through the neck. It’s made of numerous bones called vertebrae stacked on top of each other. Each vertebra is separated by a disc that provides spinal flexibility and shock absorption. 

Each disc has a gel-like center that’s enclosed by a hard shell. When soft tissues that surround the spine become inflamed or imbalanced, they can put pressure on the spine, forcing spinal discs to rupture and pushing the soft center out of its protective shell. This injury is called a disc herniation.

Common symptoms of a herniated disc include:

• Neck pain  
• Radiating pain from the neck into the shoulders or upper back  
• Headaches  
• Lower back pain 
• Pain on one side of the body 
• Pain that shows up in the extremities, such as in the arm, leg, or foot
• Muscle weakness and muscle spasms
• Sensations such as numbness, tingling, and burning 
• Neck and back stiffness
• Loss of range of motion, mobility, or flexibility in the back, neck, or shoulders

Your symptoms may come on slowly and worsen over time as the herniation goes untreated. However, if you visit your chiropractor at the first signs of discomfort, you can reduce the negative effects of your injury and re-establish proper spinal function quickly.

What Causes a Herniated Disc?

Disc herniations may occur for any number of reasons, and because they can happen due to an accident, they can affect anyone at any age and living any kind of lifestyle. When undue pressure is put on the spine, the spine becomes compromised, and that injury can spread into other soft tissues, the nerve, and more. 

With the right chiropractic care and guidance, your disc herniation can heal, and you can fully recover.

Habits and events that can lead to disc herniation include:

• Improper lifting technique
• Poor posture and sleeping position
• Improper workstation setup
• Habitual improper movement patterns
• Overuse or repetitive use, often because of occupation, sports, or exercise
• A traumatic event, such as an auto or sports accident
• An injury or surgery that didn’t heal correctly or a chronic injury 
• Weight and pregnancy
• Whiplash
• Aging and regular wear and tear
• Sprains, strains, and inflammation  

However your injury occurs, it’s key to understand why it’s happened and how you can best support your body so you get and stay strong and healthy. The symptoms your disc herniation is creating can be effectively and efficiently managed if caught soon enough. 

You should never ignore your body when it’s showing pain, as this is its method of telling you you’re injured. The sooner you meet with an experienced chiropractor, the sooner you can heal, get back to the activities you enjoy, and start to live pain-free.  

Work With Our Orem Chiropractor for Fast, Safe Disc Herniation Relief  

At Uintah Spine & Health, we know you want to live comfortably, pain-free, and moving with integrity. Our Orem chiropractic clinic has several safe solutions to help your spine heal, strengthen, and recover safely so you can reach your health goals. 

Our team will design a wellness plan around your unique needs using an array of effective chiropractic services. 

We’ve seen firsthand how our chiropractic solutions successfully treat disc herniations. Some common methods we utilize include:

• Chiropractic care 
• Massage therapy
• Sports injury rehabilitation 
• Dry needling
• Kinesio taping
• Lifestyle guidance

We incorporate your in-clinic treatments with take-home insight on exercise, stretching, posture, and more. Don’t let your pain get in the way of your life for another day. If you’re ready to end your pain and get a strong, healthy back and spine, let’s get you scheduled.