Are you suffering from back pain? You may have a herniated disc. According to the Cleveland Clinic, disc herniation affects up to 2% of the population. Around 5% of people experiencing back pain also have a herniated disc, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Are you a part of the statistic? You should consider getting herniated disc treatment to improve your quality of life.
Quantum Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Care, the top choice for physical therapy in New York, offers physical therapy for herniated discs, among other treatment approaches.
Schedule a consultation today to discuss your symptoms.
Spinal discs are soft cushions between the hard bones that make up your vertebrae. When the cushion is no longer effective (which is disc herniation), pain follows every time you try to move. Think of disc herniation like a balloon deflating.
The location of the pain depends on the section of the vertebrae that has lost a cushion.
Generally, a significant number of people struggling with lower, middle, and upper back pain have a herniated disc.
Some of the most common reasons for a herniated disc include the following:
Doctors diagnose disc herniation by first conducting a thorough physical examination. The physical exam will evaluate mobility and check for other symptoms. Next, they will evaluate your medical history.
During the evaluation stage, doctors will check factors such as muscle strength, response to stimuli, and pain localization. They will also evaluate your gait, reflexes, and more. Depending on the initial findings, the doctor may order imaging tests such as:
Around 90% of herniated disc cases resolve within six weeks, according to the National Library of Medicine. If your case requires treatment, the doctor will place you on over-the-counter pain relievers and muscle relaxants. They may also recommend trigger point injections around the pain site to reduce inflammation.
The doctor may recommend physical therapy or chiropractic care where none of these approaches work.
Physical therapy is a non-invasive and highly beneficial approach to the management of disc herniation. During the treatment, physical therapists will fashion a personalized approach to reduce pain and increase strength and mobility.
Your physical therapy plan may include the following:
Following the personalized treatment plan designed for you increases your chances of recovery from disc herniation.
Chiropractors are at the forefront of the fight against herniated disc symptoms. Chiropractors begin the treatment process by going over your doctor’s diagnostic findings.
They may complete other diagnostic tests to further evaluate reflexes, rule out muscle wastage, and ensure proper sensitivity along nervous pathways. Some of the procedures you may undergo when you visit a chiropractor for herniated disc treatment include the following.
This treatment option involves going under anesthesia for around six minutes. The chiropractor will stretch and manipulate the treatment area while you lie on your stomach.
Depending on the condition’s severity, you may need to undergo this treatment every two to four weeks.
During this treatment, chiropractors use a specialized table to stretch your spine and isolate the affected area. Next, they use a pumping rhythm to flex the spine. The process is generally pain-free. Chiropractors use it to realign the intervertebral disc and get it into its natural position.
Moving the disc into its natural position will relieve any pressure on the nerve root, alleviating all the symptoms associated with it.
Chiropractors also combine flexion distraction with other treatments such as muscle stimulation, adjunctive ultrasound, supplementation, and more. They will also recommend personalized exercises and a nutrition plan to help speed up recovery from disc herniation.
The pelvic blocking technique involves the use of cushioned wedges placed under each side of the pelvis. The chiropractor may recommend gentle exercises to go with this technique. The treatment can reposition the disc and push it away from any compressed nerve.
Are you looking for a physical therapist or chiropractor in New York for your herniated disc?
At Quantum Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Care, our experienced spinal specialists can design a personalized treatment plan to aid your recovery from disc herniation. We have extensive experience offering chiropractic care and physical therapy for herniated discs.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
Call us today to discuss your treatment for all typical reasons of back pain.
Many cases of disc herniation resolve on their own in many cases. However, it’s not safe to ignore the symptoms of a herniated disc for too long. Apart from the fact that you could have other underlying conditions, waiting too long before resuming treatment will only lengthen the recovery period.
See your doctor as soon as possible if you’ve had pain around your back for more than a couple of weeks.
There is no best treatment for a herniated disc. Medical practitioners will evaluate your case and recommend the most practical course of treatment.
The duration of the treatment will vary from patient to patient. Factors that will determine the duration of physical therapy for a herniated disc include:
Most importantly, you will only see results if you stick to the program the therapist has set out for you.
