Herniated Disc Treatment In Lincoln, NE
Herniated Disc Specialist
When a disc in your spine bulges or ruptures, it can cause a lot of pain. This might mean you have a herniated disc, which happens when a part of the disc pushes into the spinal canal. It usually happens when the discs in your spine start to wear down.
This type of pain often feels sharp and shooting, sometimes spreading down the arms or legs. It can also cause tingling, numbness, or weakness in those areas.
At Novo Chiropractic clinic, Dr. Shane Davidson DC is an expert in helping people with herniated discs. If you’re feeling this kind of pain, we can help. Whether it’s in your neck or lower back, our chiropractic care plan is designed to ease your pain. Let’s find out what makes this happen and what are the signs to look for.
What Is A Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc is when the soft cushion between the bones in the spine gets damaged. It’s a bit like a jelly donut that’s squished and might leak. Imagine this cushion is there to protect the bones in your back. If it gets squeezed or breaks, it might push on the nearby nerves, causing pain in your back, arms, or legs.
This happens sometimes because the body wears down over time, or it can also occur suddenly because of an injury or strain to the back. Let’s take a closer look to learn more about the typical signs and reasons for this issue.
Common Causes Of Herniated Disc
There are a few common causes of a herniated disc. Some of the most common causes include:
- As we get older, our discs become weaker and more prone to damage, leading to disc degeneration.
- Trying to lift objects that are too heavy can make a disc herniate.
- A sedentary lifestyle, where we don’t move much, can weaken our joints and potentially cause herniation.
- Prolonged sitting, without having much movement, can also contribute to the development of herniated discs.
Common Symptoms Of Herniated Disc
When a disc in the spine gets hurt, it can cause different symptoms. The exact symptoms depend on where the problem is in the spine. Usually, the disc between the L3-L4 or L4-L5 vertebrae gets hurt most often. Here are some common symptoms including:
- Severe Pain in the lower back, arms, or legs
- Numbness, tingling, or pins and needles in legs or feet
- Muscle spasms in the back or legs
- Muscle weakness or clumsiness
- Pain that changes with positions like sitting, standing, lying down
- Stiff or sore neck
- Shooting pains down one or both legs
Long Term Problems Due To Untreated Herniated Disc
Dr. Shane Davidson DC, a specialist in treating herniated discs at our chiropractic practice in Lincoln, NE. He emphasizes the importance of treating injured discs to avoid lasting issues. These problems might include:
- Long-lasting back and leg pain Nerve damage lasts
- Losing feelings in the back, legs, and neck
- Not moving as easily and having some paralysis
- Harm to bowels, bladder, or rectum, causing problems controlling them.
Chiropractic Treatments for Herniated Disc
Here are some common chiropractic treatments that are aimed at addressing the herniated disc, alleviating pain, improving mobility, and supporting the body’s natural ability to heal. However, this specific treatment plan may differ in results for each person. Chiropractic Treatments can include:
Spinal adjustments: Chiropractors use their hands or small instruments to apply controlled force to the spine. This aims to align the vertebrae and reduce pressure on the affected nerves, helping to decrease pain and improve function.
Spinal decompression: This technique involves gentle stretching of the spine. It aims to create a negative pressure within the discs, allowing bulging or herniated material to retract, easing pressure on the nerves and promoting the body’s natural healing process.
Therapeutic exercises: Chiropractors recommend specific exercises tailored to an individual’s condition. These exercises help strengthen the muscles that support the spine and increase flexibility. They are designed to improve posture and reduce strain on the spine.
Soft tissue therapy: This involves hands-on techniques like massage or other manual therapies. It aims to reduce muscle tension, alleviate stiffness, and promote relaxation. Soft tissue therapy can help improve circulation and aid in the healing process.
Lifestyle advice: Chiropractors provide guidance on everyday habits and activities that can affect spinal health. This may include recommendations for better posture, proper ergonomics at work, exercises to avoid, and techniques for lifting objects safely to prevent further injury to the discs.
Book An Appointment
Request an appointment online by calling us on (402) 817-7373
You can also use the online booking tool below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Herniated Disc
Are Chiropractors safe for herniated discs?
Does Medical Insurance Cover Herniated Disc?
Most medical insurance providers will cover chiropractic treatment for herniated discs, but it is best to call your provider. They may want to start with non-invasive treatments for minor cases before moving forward with more complex procedures.
