By Amie Murrieta
Easily one of the most common reasons why people seek the
assistance of a chiropractor is back pain. One of the most common causes
of back pain (particularly in those over 40) is a herniated disc. A
Laguna Hills chiropractic office can help patients find some much-needed
relief from this annoying and painful problem.
Since there can be some confusion over terminology, it's worth pointing out the difference between a herniated (or bulging) disc and a ruptured disc. A disc is considered herniated when the soft gel-like nucleus of the disc protrudes through the outer casing (called the annulus). This is the less serious of these conditions and the easiest to tackle.
A disc is deemed ruptured when the nucleus makes a more complete break through its outer casing. This puts pressure on the spinal cord and presents a more severe medical problem. Either way, it's the pressure placed on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots or sciatic nerve that are the cause of the pain.
Fortunately, a chiropractor has quite a few options when it comes to caring for patients with this problem. Before any plan of care is begun however, each patient is given a full examination. In the main, the chiropractor will check the patient's reflexes, posture, nerve sensation and muscle strength.
He or she may also order X-rays or an MRI scan if they are deemed necessary. Based on the information gathered, the chiropractor will then design a care plan tailored to the patient's particular needs. This will likely include spinal manipulation to correct any abnormalities in its shape and ease any pressure on the discs and nerves.
Adjustments may also be made to the pelvis and neck, and specific muscle groups may be stretched and/or massaged. Spinal decompression is another technique that can prove extremely beneficial. It involves gently extending the spine using a motorized device or a traction table, and by easing pressure on the discs, it can significantly alleviate pain.
Since there can be some confusion over terminology, it's worth pointing out the difference between a herniated (or bulging) disc and a ruptured disc. A disc is considered herniated when the soft gel-like nucleus of the disc protrudes through the outer casing (called the annulus). This is the less serious of these conditions and the easiest to tackle.
A disc is deemed ruptured when the nucleus makes a more complete break through its outer casing. This puts pressure on the spinal cord and presents a more severe medical problem. Either way, it's the pressure placed on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots or sciatic nerve that are the cause of the pain.
Fortunately, a chiropractor has quite a few options when it comes to caring for patients with this problem. Before any plan of care is begun however, each patient is given a full examination. In the main, the chiropractor will check the patient's reflexes, posture, nerve sensation and muscle strength.
He or she may also order X-rays or an MRI scan if they are deemed necessary. Based on the information gathered, the chiropractor will then design a care plan tailored to the patient's particular needs. This will likely include spinal manipulation to correct any abnormalities in its shape and ease any pressure on the discs and nerves.
Adjustments may also be made to the pelvis and neck, and specific muscle groups may be stretched and/or massaged. Spinal decompression is another technique that can prove extremely beneficial. It involves gently extending the spine using a motorized device or a traction table, and by easing pressure on the discs, it can significantly alleviate pain.
About the Author:
You can get fast neck, spine and hip pain relief through chiropractic care. Get more information about a well-respected Laguna Hills chiropractic doctor at http://www.claytonthomasnoel.
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