Disc Injury Treatment With Upper Cervical Care in Mount Dora, FL

The little pads that lie between your vertebrae are called intervertebral discs. These discs have a tough outer ring and a soft gel-like center. Your disc’s job is to join and separate your vertebrae from one another. These discs act as spacers, creating a space for your nerves to exit from your spinal cord to serve your body parts. The discs also allow you to move, bend, twist, etc.

There are several disc injuries that make movements of the upper torso painful and difficult:

• Bulging or Protruding Disc: when the disc becomes asymmetrical and the gel-like nucleus pushes on the outer cartilaginous ring causing bulging.
• Herniated Disc: when the disc material has ruptured to the point that the gel-like nucleus pushes outward and escapes from the disc. The herniation may or may not directly affect the nerves. We can often address a herniated disc with conservative care (chiropractic, exercises/rehab, etc.). Surgical intervention may be called for if the herniation is severe enough and not responding to conservative care.
• Disc Extrusion: the worst type of disc injury. This is when the nucleus balloons extensively into the area outside the vertebrae or breaks off from the disc, which may cause severe neurological damage and often requires surgical intervention.

All of the above disc injuries tend to result in considerable back pain, numbness, burning, and limitation in range of motion due to the irritation of the nerve roots at the point where the injury occurs and the impact this has on the surrounding tissues. Several distressing symptoms can arise from this nerve irritation and damage, including but not limited to:

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Weakness in the legs or feet or down the arm if originating from the neck
• Leg and foot pain, numbness and tingling (also known as sciatica)
• Loss of bladder or bowel control (severe, medical emergency)

If you have a suspicion that your chronic back, hip, or leg pain is being caused by a disc injury, or you have received a diagnosis that confirms you are dealing with a disc injury issue, you will certainly benefit from a thorough evaluation by a great chiropractor.

Whether the pain and symptoms are mild or severe, it is important to deal with it promptly so that the issue does not progress and cause more permanent damage. The following article discusses some of the symptoms of disc injuries to help you understand what you are dealing with and your options to care for it properly. We will also cover how upper cervical and neurologically based chiropractic care, along with non-invasive therapy, may give you immediate relief from the pain and discomfort associated with a disc injury and maximize long-term recovery and stability.

How We Treat Disc Injury With Upper Cervical Care in Mount Dora, FL

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I should see a chiropractor for a disc injury?

If you have unresolved disc injury symptoms that haven’t responded to other treatments or home care, getting a proper upper cervical chiropractic spinal evaluation would be prudent. If you have accompanying tension headaches, neck pain, upper back or shoulder pain, fatigue or brain fog, these are red flags for spinal/structural issues best addressed by an upper cervical chiropractor.

Is a massage or chiropractic better for a disc injury?

Both are great but serve different purposes. Massage primarily focuses on the soft tissues (muscles, fascia), improving circulation and reducing stress, whereas chiropractic focuses on the neuro-structural system (the spinal joints and adjacent nerves). Because a chiropractic adjustment affects the nervous system, it will also directly affect muscle tension and postural tone. We find that massage is a wonderful compliment to chiropractic care but not a replacement for it.

What can I do in the meantime to relieve disc injury symptoms?

• Relaxation Techniques: Incorporating relaxation practices such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or progressive muscle relaxation into your daily routine to relieve stress and promote overall well-being is one way of reducing tension and improving health and well-being.
• Cold or Hot Compress: Applying a cold or hot compress may relieve neck or back pain due to disc injury. If it is a fresh disc injury <72hrs, only use cold packs wrapped in a dish towel applied to the affected area. 15-20 minutes every hour as needed. After the initial 72-hour acute phase, you may introduce heat (hot packs). We recommend alternating with hot and cold, ending with cold.
• Adequate Rest and Sleep: To properly recover from a spinal/soft tissue disc injury, make sure you’re sleeping enough by setting a consistent sleeping pattern and schedule. A lack of restful slumber or irregular patterns could prolong your recovery.
• Drink Plenty of Water: Dehydration will only slow healing and magnify symptoms. Aim for at least 8-12 glasses daily or half your body weight in ounces.
• Ginger: The anti-inflammatory properties may help relieve disc injury symptoms. You can consume ginger in various forms, such as fresh ginger slices, tea with ginger extract, or supplements. Ginger can also help reduce any associated nausea.
• Magnesium Supplementation: Magnesium may help with reducing neurological and muscle tension. Food sources rich in magnesium include leafy green vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Supplements may be an option; just be sure to consult your doctor first!
• Avoid Pro-inflammatory Foods: These include processed foods with added sugar, preservatives, etc. Make an effort to eat clean, whole foods such as pasture-raised meats, organic fruits, and veggies. Also include healthy fats in grass-fed beef, wild-caught fish, avocado, and raw almonds/walnuts. The essential fatty acids in fish oil supplementation improve recovery and protect the brain in the event of future concussions.
• Essential Oils: Many individuals find relief from nausea, headaches, and muscle tension associated with disc injury with essential oils like lavender, peppermint, or eucalyptus. Simply dilute several drops in a carrier oil before gently massaging or inhaling their aroma onto temples for immediate results. Be careful not to overdo it!

What’s the best way to sleep with a disc injury?

If you are currently symptomatic, the best posture to sleep in is semi-recumbent (as in a recliner chair) with support under your neck. Some contoured pillows are good (some are terrible)—we recommend the Killapilla—or simply roll a small towel to put under your neck. If you can lie flat in bed, put a pillow under your knees to help achieve a more neutral spinal posture. Your pillow shouldn’t be too thick and should support the natural curvature of your spine. If on your side, it’s crucial to have just the right amount of pillow height so that your head is not tilted up or down, which will only irritate your neck joints and receptor nerves, possibly aggravating your symptoms. Also, while on your side, keep your knees bent with a pillow between your knees.

Movement and Stretching: If possible, keep moving! Don’t sit for more than 20-30 minutes without getting up and moving around for several minutes. If it’s not too difficult, try to get in some walks of 10-20 minutes a couple of times a day as well. Movement hydrates the joints and discs and increases blood flow and circulation into the damaged tissues while helping to flush out damaged cells and inflammation (pain). Only do so within pain limits.

Does a chiropractic adjustment hurt?

No, a chiropractic adjustment should not hurt. Some technique models use more force to move the vertebrae where there may be an audible “cracking or popping sound”. This is nothing to fear, as it is just gas escaping the joint. That being said, in our office, we utilize a very specialized form of care that does not involve twisting or “cracking” of your spine—it is very gentle, precise, and extremely effective at producing results. You can learn more about “Upper Cervical” chiropractic care on our website.

You can also find more information at www.blairchiropractic.com and www.torquerelease.com