Chiropractic care can be used to treat herniated discs and the tissues around them in a non-invasive way. How does a herniated disc happen? Your spinal column contains a series of stacked vertebrae that are cushioned by protective discs. Each disc has a soft, gelatinous center with a slightly firmer outer casing. In cases of whiplash, the soft, gelatinous inner portion of the disc can tear through the exterior and cause significant pain.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, of all insurance claims reported in the United States, whiplash injuries are the most common. Whiplash is an injury that occurs in the neck and is the result of a forceful movement of the head forward and back (as is common in car accidents).
While not a life-threatening injury in most cases, the effects of whiplash can be painful and long-lasting. In fact, if treatment is not quickly received for this and other neck injuries, the effects could potentially worsen over time. It is not uncommon for those with whiplash to also experience pain from one or more herniated discs. Fortunately, chiropractic services can be used to successfully treat most cases of whiplash and minimize symptoms. Depending on your case, your chiropractor may recommend one or more treatment methods to bring your vertebrae back into proper alignment and release excess pressure between your discs.
Spinal manipulation is a hands-on adjustment technique used by chiropractors to reduce inflammation, relieve pressure on joints, and restore spinal mobility. Spinal manipulation may include some or all of the following:
Spinal manipulation is frequently used to treat neck pain from whiplash. It is also commonly used to treat frequent headaches, shoulder discomfort, and back pain.
Using specialized tables that are designed to move in specific ways, a chiropractor may be able to relieve pressure on compressed discs through spinal traction. This therapy can also be performed mechanically or manually and is a type of compression therapy that is frequently used to treat herniated discs, sciatica, and several other back conditions. It helps reverse the force of gravity (or whiplash) by stretching the spine out, straightening it, and relieving pressure.
There are no known long-term risks associated with spinal traction, but some patients may experience minor muscle spasms or other short-term side effects after treatment. You may want to talk with your chiropractor about potential side effects before you receive spinal traction treatments.
Chiropractic care is non-invasive and can sometimes be used as an alternative to surgery, among numerous other benefits discussed below. If your neck or back hurts after a car accident, it is important to understand your treatment options and receive care as soon as possible. The sooner you receive treatment, the more likely you are to have a good outcome. Here is a breakdown of some of the more noteworthy advantages of chiropractic treatment:
Primary care doctors often recommend spinal surgery if less invasive techniques do not succeed in treating herniated discs. However, chiropractic care services may be a viable alternative to traditional methods of treatment as well. In fact, many patients who report little to no benefit from medications, steroid injections, and other common traditional medicine practices report finding relief for their herniated disc through chiropractic care.
Although some patients continue to take pain-relief and anti-inflammatory medication along with chiropractic treatment throughout the treatment of a herniated disc, many use chiropractic care as a way to decrease or avoid dependency on medications.
Chiropractic techniques are far safer than surgery and many other medical procedures, and there is also a relatively high rate of success for patients who choose chiropractic care for herniated discs.
Chiropractic care helps with the prevention of future herniated discs as well as treating existing instances. The chiropractor and their team can work with you to develop a preventive strategy long-term, which may include regular chiropractic sessions and lifestyle improvements to help minimize your risk.
Most herniated disc cases do not require surgery. In many situations, they respond favorably to spinal manipulation, spinal traction, and other common chiropractic adjustment techniques. If you are having pain and other symptoms that may indicate a herniated disc, then contact us today to schedule a consultation visit.
Request an appointment here: https://sjrm-tn.com or call Spine & Joint Regenerative Medicine at (423) 424-1529 for an appointment in our Ooltewah office.
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