Disc Herniation and Upper Cervical Chiropractic
Disc herniation occurs when one of your spine’s cushioning discs weakens, allowing it to either bulge outward or release its inner fluid. This can create pressure on nearby spinal nerves or the spinal cord itself. Disc herniation has progressive stages and is often described in several ways:
- Bulging disc
- Slipped disc
- Herniated disc
- Ruptured disc
To understand spinal discs, imagine a gel insole in your shoe. Just as that cushion compresses and rebounds while walking, providing protection between your foot and the ground, your spinal discs act as natural shock absorbers. These specialized structures cushion each vertebra, allowing smooth, pain-free movement during daily activities.
Disc herniations typically develop through one of two pathways:
An acute injury to the head, neck, or spine – often from whiplash or similar trauma – can trigger immediate disc problems. Alternatively, daily stressors like repetitive lifting or prolonged poor posture gradually break down the spine’s supporting structure, leading to disc weakness over time.
The location of your disc herniation determines its symptoms. Neck herniations often result in cervical radiculopathy, while low back herniations can cause sciatica, lumbar radiculopathy, or central canal stenosis pain.
Regardless of whether your disc herniation resulted from sudden trauma or gradual wear, it signals an underlying problem requiring correction. These injuries occur when spinal misalignment concentrates pressure on a single disc instead of distributing it evenly across all spinal segments. The key to resolving disc herniation symptoms lies in correcting this misalignment, which relieves the excessive stress and pressure on the affected disc.
How can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Help Disc Herniation?
Our approach begins with a thorough spinal analysis and postural assessment to identify the underlying cause of your disc herniation. Since spinal misalignment is the primary source of disc stress and pressure, we utilize precise X-ray imaging to measure the severity of any misalignment and determine the exact correction needed.
Using this detailed analysis, we perform a gentle, precise correction to restore proper spinal alignment and overall body balance. This specialized technique helps relieve pressure on herniated discs, allowing your body to begin its natural healing process. Many patients experience immediate improvement in their symptoms, while others notice gradual relief as their spine stabilizes in its correct position.