HERNIATED DISCS FAQ ANSWERED BY YOUR TACOMA CHIROPRACTOR

At Proctor Chiropractic in Tacoma, WA, we can help treat your herniated discs. A herniated disc happens when the casing that surrounds the soft discs connecting sections of the spinal column become torn or damaged. This breach causes the gelatinous innards of the disc to thrust forward and press against the nerve endings. This pressure can cause a tight pinching sensation and can be very painful. The condition may also become debilitating if left untreated. Herniated discs can be caused by sports injuries, age-related spinal wear, and tear or trauma due to car accidents or other types of harsh body impact. Some people are also prone to herniated discs because of a genetic predisposition.

---

What are the symptoms of herniated discs?

With a herniated disc, the most commonly affected area of the body is the lower back, although sometimes, the neck may experience pain from this type of injury as well. Some of the most noticeable signs of a herniated disc include numbness or tingling in the affected areas, muscle weakness and pain in the legs or feet. If the herniation is in the neck, then the most affected body parts would typically be the arm and shoulder.

Your chiropractor can help you to identify more specifically the origin of the pain and then begin the process of treating the underlying issue.

---

How can chiropractic care provide treatment of pain associated with herniated discs?

There are several techniques and treatments that chiropractors use to ease the pain and discomfort of a herniated disc, including:

• Spinal Decompression - this is a type of “inversion therapy” that makes use of a specially designed table which is slanted in order to take pressure off of the affected discs. The movement of the table helps to relieve the “pinching” sensation in the nerves along with the associated pain.
• Spinal Manipulation - this is the traditional manual adjustment of the spine that chiropractors use to coax joints back into proper alignment.
• Exercises and Stretches - chiropractors will customize exercises based on your specific circumstances, such as age, lifestyle, and fitness level. The exercises will work to expedite healing and prevent future injuries.

---

What other treatment is available for pain due to herniated discs?

There is a host of surgical and non-surgical treatments that can be used to treat a herniated disc. At Proctor Chiropractic, our focus is on striving to treat injuries and illness in a non-invasive and drug-free way. To that end, some of the more common healers for herniated discs that we recommend and utilize in addition to the aforementioned chiropractic care are rest, limiting movement in the affected areas and a regimen of targeted physical therapy.

---

How can I contact Proctor Chiropractic to request a consultation?

Simply give us a call at our Tacoma office and we’ll be happy to answer any questions, provide more information on herniated discs or schedule an appointment for you to come in to see us.