Treatment for Disc Disorders from Our Kenosha Chiropractor
The intervertebral discs in the back help cushion the bones of the spine from each other. Disc disorders may occur in any part of the spine, but they are most common in the lower back. This part of the back is responsible for a lot of our strength and flexibility. However, this ability comes at a cost, and lower back problems are extremely common. Treatment for disc disorders from our Kenosha chiropractor can help relieve pain and encourage healing for disc disorders in any part of the back or neck.
Types of Disc Disorders
A number of conditions can occur within the discs of the spine. Herniated discs occur when the outer covering of the disc cracks or tears and allows the gel-like inner material to squeeze out. This reduces the cushioning ability of the disc, which can lead to pain and reduction in mobility. Herniated discs are sometimes referred to as slipped discs.
Bulging discs are similar to herniated discs, but instead of tearing, the disc actually just squeezes out of its normal space between the bones. Both herniated and bulging discs commonly cause nerve pain when their expanding shape presses on nearby nerves. Bulging discs can lead to herniation, but many people have bulging discs with no symptoms. To add to the confusion, bulging discs may also be referred to as slipped discs.
Degenerative disc disease is a condition that occurs where the discs start to fail in a number of different ways. They may thin out, shrink, lose flexibility, or change shape. This condition is most common among older adults, but it refers to any case in which the discs progressively deteriorate. Some cases of degenerative disc disease occur in quite young people, even children. However, because a kid's back is typically more resilient than that of an adult, our Kenosha chiropractor will check carefully for other causes if your child has back pain.
Most often, the symptoms of disc disease are pain and loss of flexibility. The two major types of pain that occur with disc disorders are mechanical and nerve-related (radicular) pain. Mechanical pain may feel more like an ache and occurs at the site of the injury. Radicular pain results when tissue presses on a nerve and creates symptoms in other parts of the body. Lower back disc issues can cause pain, numbness, and weakness all down the back and legs, for example.
Effective Chiropractic Treatments for Disc Disorders
Herniated discs do not exactly heal, but they often reduce in size and become symptomatic over time. Chiro treatment is one of the recommended options for helping you find relief from the pain while the condition is allowed time to subside. A number of types of treatment may be effective or indicated:
Depending on your condition, our chiropractor in Kenosha may focus on readjusting the bones of the spine, teaching you how to move with less pain, helping you strengthen and stretch the area, or follow a healthy diet to promote healing and weight loss, if necessary. Our doctor is very child-friendly if you have kids who need help with back problems. A kid's back is very important to their overall, lifelong health, so chiropractic care for children is one service recommended by Jeranek Family Chiropractic.
Among the possible back injuries that someone might suffer, one of the most common is a bulging disc. In addition, it is also one of the most serious. While many people are told that they will need surgery to correct a bulging disc, the good news is that this is not always the case. There are a few important points that everyone should know about bulging disc treatment in Kenosha.
What Is a Bulging Disc?
A bulging disc is the medical term used to describe a rupture of one (or more) of the discs that cushion the vertebrae in the back. Also called a slipped disc or a bulging disc, the job of a disc is to prevent the vertebrae from rubbing against each other. This would lead to nerve irritation and pain.
When a disc bulges, this cushion is gone. The vertebrae start to rub against each other, irritating not only the bones but the nerves as well. This leads to bulging disc pain.
What Causes a Bulging Disc?
There are several possible reasons why someone might suffer a bulging disc. Some people suffer a slipped disc in a traumatic accident. This might include a lifting injury or a motor vehicle collision. Others end up with a bulging disc following a fall from a great height.
It is also possible for someone to develop bulging disc pain due to chronic medical conditions. One of the most common examples is degenerative disc disease. This is where the discs in the back gradually collapse over time, eventually leading to a bulging disc.
What Are the Symptoms of a Bulging Disc?
The symptoms of a bulging disc will vary from person to person depending on the location and severity of the herniation. The most common discs that people rupture are located between L3 and L4 or L4 and L5. When this takes place, the nerves that run down the leg and end up becoming irritated. Usually, people feel bulging disc pain shooting down either the right leg or the left leg. It isn't usually both legs. Furthermore, some people might find that they can actually control this pain by changing the way they sit, stand, or sleep.
How To Heal a Bulging Disc Naturally
When someone visits a bulging disc doctor for bulging disc treatment in Kenosha, they might be told that they will need surgery to correct a bulging disc. Fortunately, a chiropractor in Kenosha may be able to offer alternative treatment options to those who have suffered a bulging disc. Some of the other options include:
- Chiropractic Care: A chiropractor in Kenosha can use adjustments and manipulations to ensure the vertebrae in the back are lined up properly. This is important for providing the spine a strong framework with which it can recover. A chiropractor can also perform spinal decompression to increase the space between the vertebrae, providing the nerves with additional room.
- Corrective Exercises: After the vertebrae in the back have been properly lined up, the next step is to perform corrective exercises. This is done to restore the strength, flexibility, and mobility in the back that might have been limited as a result of the bulging disc.
- Physical Therapy:Finally, physical therapy can be completed to prevent this injury from coming back in the future. Individuals may suffer a bulged disc because the back was not strong enough to support their activities. In addition to taking appropriate safety precautions, it is important to strengthen areas of the back that might be stressed.
Rely on an Experienced Chiropractor in Kenosha
Anyone who is looking for a bulging disc doctor in Kenosha, WI should contact our team today. At Jeranek Family Chiropractic, focus on the entire patient. We use a comprehensive array of healthcare services to treat your back injuries, including a bulged discs. Call us today at (262) 694-7833 to reach the friendly and helpful staff at Jeranek Family Chiropractic, your chiropractor in Kenosha.