If you’ve experienced a spinal disc problem, you know how painful it can be. Every movement seems to hurt, and it can feel like you’ll never be back to your old self. That pain is the body’s way of signaling you to “Pay Attention Inside Now” — it’s a warning sign from your body. It’s your body’s way of letting you know it’s been pushed past its limits. However, with the proper care and a little time, you can get your life back.
The most common type of spinal disc problem is called a bulge or herniation, and these injuries most commonly occur between 45-65 years of age when discs are naturally more dehydrated and stiffer. A disc bulge or herniation occurs when a disc’s inner portion is trying to (or has) pushed through its tough outer layer. When this happens, it can cause pain in two different ways.
- If the disc bulges far enough to press on a spinal nerve, you may notice pain that travels down your arms or legs.
- If the inside of your disc pushes through the outer layer, it could also cause severe inflammation resulting in pain.
The good news is that your spine is incredibly resilient. Research has proven that movement-based care, such as spinal adjustments and spinal rehab, such as the use of a flexion and distraction table or spinal decompression therapy, are incredibly effective at helping you heal from spinal disc injuries.
Spinal Decompression Therapy
This therapy is performed by using a special table that provides different directional forces to help gently separate the vertebrae and spinal joints. This safe and comfortable treatment can help those patients suffering from many lower back conditions and works by reducing the pressure on injured tissues. This technique also works to stimulate the muscles in the area so that the back may even become more resilient to injury as a result.
If you have spinal pain or pain that travels down your arm or leg, let us know. Our practice focuses on using the latest research-based treatments to help you heal, improve, and regain your quality of life.
Flexion and Distraction Table
Utilizing a special table in which the rear portion is mobile and can be flexed and turned in a variety of positions allowing the clinician to gently mobilize the joints in the lower back. This non-invasive technique is a manual technique that allows the provider to work within a comfortable range. It is believed that this therapy may help to reverse the disc bulge, bringing it back within the tough fibrous layer via centripetal force.
SCIENCE SOURCES:
Bulging Disc vs. Herniated Disc: What’s the Difference? Mayo Clinic. 2019. Exercise for Sciatica from a Herniated Disc. Spine-Health. 2019.