What are Spinal Disks?
Between each of the bones in your spine, called vertebrae, there is soft tissue called a spinal disc. These discs serve as shock absorbers when you walk or run, allowing flexibility in your spine as well as preventing any deterioration caused by grating.
These discs are made up of two components: the inner part, also called the nucleus, which is soft and gel-like, and the outer part, known as the annulus, which is rubbery and flexible.
What is a Slipped Disc?
A slipped disc, also known as a herniated disc, occurs when the soft tissue (the nucleus) between the stacked bones in your back slips out through the outer ring of the disc, called the annulus. This can happen anywhere from your neck to your lower back, but it is most common in the lower back.
Several factors can contribute to slipped discs, with the most common being wear and tear on the discs between the bones due to physical activity, injury, or aging. Other factors can include improper lifting of heavy objects, genetics, and being overweight.
Symptoms of a Slipped Disc in Your Back
Symptoms of slipped discs can vary, and it’s important to note that not all slipped discs are the same. However, there are usually signs and symptoms that can indicate a slipped disc in your back. Here are a few to look out for:
- Lower back pain
- Sciatica- this is a sharp, often shooting pain that extends from the buttock down the back of one leg.
- You can read more about sciatica pain here: https://imperiumhc.com/how-a-chiropractor-can-help-with-sciatica-pain/
- Numbness or a tingling sensation in the leg and/or foot
- Weakness in the leg and/or foot
Treatment and Therapy for Slipped Discs
Slipped disc therapy procedures can vary. Chiropractors often recommend lower back workouts as a first step. It’s also crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle by engaging in daily exercise, getting enough sleep, and maintaining good posture.
However, if these solutions don’t suffice, surgical treatment may be necessary. Surgery aims either to restore the disc to its rightful position between the bones or to remove the protruding part of the disc from the annulus. In some cases, a doctor may perform a spinal fusion as well.
Learn more about your chiropractic care options for a slipped disc by getting in contact with us!
Dr. Lindsey fully believes that as her role in a doctor is to be a health coach, giving her clients the tools and knowledge to make the best educated decisions for their health and the health of their families. The body was not made to break down, it was created to thrive and adapt to its environment.
Being a native of Colorado, Dr. Lindsey loves to hike, bike, camp, dance, and travel often, but her main mission is to change the way her community views and manages their health, both physically and mentally, across all generations. Her vision is to see less pharmacies, and more farmer’s markets; less medication and more meditation; less sick days and more family days; less pain and more love.