can a Chiropractor help with slipped disc?
Every year, up to 2% of people get a slipped disc, often from overexertion or just an aging body. Slipped discs are a leading cause of neck and arm pain, and back and leg pain (sciatica) depending on where they occur along the spine but most commonly occurs in the lower spine at the L4 and L5 vertebrae, where these segments bear significant weight and provide foundational support for the spine.
People in between the ages of 30 to 50 are most likely to get a slipped disc, with men affected twice as much as women. A sedentary life, improper exercise and smoking can worsen these risks for individuals. But if you end up with a slipped disc, could it be cured?
What is a Slip Disc?
Discs are rubbery structures between the vertebrae in your spine that provide cushioning. They have a tough outer exterior surrounding a jellylike center. A slipped disc (also known as a herniated disc, bulging disc or protruded disc) is a common condition that occurs when that soft center pushes out through a tear in the covering. It can then press on nearby nerves, causing symptoms.
Neglecting minor conditions of the lumbar or cervical spine can lead to intervertebral disc damage and protrusions in these areas. While spinal discs are naturally resilient and not easily damaged, factors such as poor posture and repetitive bending or twisting at the waist can have lasting negative effects on the spine.
For instance, poor posture, prolonged sitting, and excessive bending or twisting can weaken the ligaments and muscles. This combined weakness places stress on the joints and discs. The cumulative effect of these additional stresses is a primary factor in the development of disc herniation.
Interventional Treatments for Slip Disc
Interventional treatments involve actively intervening in the body’s processes or structure to address a medical condition. These procedures often require physical entry into the body with techniques to directly target and treat the underlying issue, often providing quicker relief or more definitive solutions compared to conservative treatments.
There are few options Interventional treatments for a slipped disc, as below;
Spinal injections
Called an epidural or nerve block, a spinal injection is a shot of steroid medication directly into your spine. The medication reduces swelling and inflammation of the nerve from the disk herniation. This will allow your body to heal and return to activity faster.
However, it’s a temporary solution since it contains steroids, frequent injections can lead to side effects such as weakened bones, weight gain, and high blood sugar. Therefore, it is crucial to use this treatment option judiciously and under medical supervision.
Surgery
In rare cases, a large herniated disk might injure nerves to the bladder or bowel. That may require emergency surgery. For nonemergency cases, surgery is an option when other treatments fail. There are various ways to perform spinal decompression surgery, but the goal is to relieve pressure on the nerve. Specific types of surgery could mean getting your slip disc removed or fusing your spine to provide more stability.
Can Slip Disc Be Cured Without Surgery?
In most cases (around 90%), disc herniation improves with conservative treatment within a few weeks or months. The goal is to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and prevent future issues. Surgery is usually only considered as a last resort if conservative measures fail to provide relief, or if there’s severe nerve damage.
Your doctor can conduct a neurological exam to evaluate your muscle strength, reflexes, and walking ability. They may also test your sensitivity to light touches, vibrations, and pinpricks. If your condition isn’t severe, they will likely recommend that you take some pain medication, avoid extraneous activity and try physical therapy.
On the whole, smaller herniations are more likely to respond well to conservative treatment compared to larger ones. Herniations in certain locations might cause more significant nerve compression, requiring a different approach.
Non-invasive Treatments for Slip Disc
It’s possible for a slipped disc to be cured without surgery or injections. Advancements in physical therapy including new devices and targeted techniques can have great applications in treatment programmes for slipped disc patients.
However, non-invasive therapy requires rigorous research before patients should subscribe to services. Combining techniques to produce results and proper rehabilitation must be done by qualified professionals, who can make the best decisions for your condition.
Our chiropractors employ precise adjustments and therapeutic modalities tailored to address the specific needs of individuals with herniated discs. While our clinic can help tackle a myriad of spinal problems, most of our patients come to us for slipped disc treatments.
Flexion-Distraction Technique
Utilizing Osso’s very own Osso Flexion Distraction Adjustment Technique ® , chiropractors employ a specialized method for treating herniated discs through gentle spinal stretching to alleviate pressure on the nerve and spinal disc. Repeatedly flexing the spine opens the gap of the disc to increase space between vertebrae, decrease disc pressure, increase opening for the nerves to relieve pinched nerves.
Unlike surgical interventions, the Flexion-Distraction Technique is a non-invasive procedure, making it a favorable option for many seeking conservative care. This technique holds promise in providing relief for individuals suffering from herniated discs.
Spinal Decompression Therapy
Spinal decompression therapy, a chiropractic treatment method, involves stretching the spine gently to create negative pressure, which helps retract herniated disc material. This negative pressure creates a “suction effect” that draws in disc herniation or disc bulges, effectively taking pressure off the “pinched” nerve.
By reducing nerve compression, improving blood flow, and aiding in the healing process of the affected disc, spinal decompression can provide relief. Chiropractors utilize specialized equipment to perform this technique, customizing the treatment to address individual conditions and symptoms effectively, as it is the best alternative before resorting to a surgery.
Research indicates that spinal decompression therapy can be beneficial in decreasing pain and enhancing function in individuals with herniated discs. This non-invasive approach aligns with chiropractic principles of addressing underlying issues contributing to disc herniation, offering a holistic method to manage and treat the condition.
If you’re experiencing herniated disc symptoms, exploring spinal decompression therapy with a chiropractor could be a valuable option to consider for alleviating discomfort and promoting recovery.
Drop Table Technique
The drop table technique in chiropractic treatment involves a specialized table segment that’s strategically raised and then swiftly dropped during adjustments. This method allows for a gentle and controlled adjustment of the spine to target herniated discs and other spinal issues effectively.
Chiropractors use the drop table to pinpoint specific areas of the spine with accuracy, aiding in the correction of spinal alignment. The controlled dropping motion requires less force, making it a comfortable option for patients experiencing disc herniation. Patients often find the drop table technique to be both comfortable and effective in reducing pain and improving spinal alignment.
The Drop Table Technique is the best method for patients in pain that are suffering with Slipped Disc and those who are unable to tolerate manual adjustment techniques, especially wheelchair users or elderly patients who have difficulties in walking that need to be treated gently.
These techniques may be integrated with other treatments to offer holistic care for the herniated disc, promoting overall healing and recovery.
How Conservative Treatments Help Slip Disc Prevention
Even before you get a slipped disc, given age and physical activity, getting conservative treatment is an effective precaution to avoid future pain. Spinal discs degenerate faster than any other tissue in your body and due to modern lifestyles, back pain can be observed in individuals who are in their mid-twenties with the earliest disc degeneration signs appearing in children as young as nine.
A degenerated disc has lost its fluid content and over time leads to a slipped disc. While degeneration is normal with age, experiencing it early in life can cause health issues later. For instance, spinal disc degeneration in individuals under 45 is not typical and can predispose them to serious spine problems. Therefore, it’s important to understand the long-term impacts of disc degeneration.
Proper hydration and fluid content are essential for preventing degenerative changes in discs. Sedentary lifestyles and prolonged sitting contribute to muscle weakness and increase the pressure within spinal discs. This increased pressure expels water and other necessary nutrients that discs rely on for repair and maintenance.
Consequently, if you lead a sedentary lifestyle or sit for long periods, your discs will degenerate more quickly, increasing your likelihood of developing a bulging or herniated disc. This is where conservative treatment and education can help you be more aware about the condition of your spine, and to take care of it while you still can.
Can Slip Disc Cause Paralysis?
If a slip disc is left untreated, could it cause paralysis?
Left untreated for an extended period, the pressure from inflammation can cause permanent damage to surrounding tissues and nerves, leading to more severe chronic pain conditions such as neuropathy or radiculopathy.
Severe cases would likely lead to physical disability, and paralysis is one of the rarest complications if you choose to go down the surgical route. Additionally, if your spinal discs are weak enough, any sudden pain or ruptures can be a cause for concern. Nontraumatic cervical disc rupture causing acute paraplegia is a very rare but possible event.
Our chiropractors will do their best to keep you informed about the dangers of letting pain and injury accumulate from your slipped disc.
What Does the Research Say?
The future of disc herniation treatment lies in a multidisciplinary approach that combines regenerative medicine, advanced technology, and personalized patient care. Ongoing research is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying disc degeneration and herniation, which could lead to the development of better targeted therapies to prevent and reverse these processes.
As research progresses, a future where disc herniation can be effectively cured, restoring patients to pain-free, functional lives, is becoming increasingly attainable. In the meantime, these slow, but proven methods can give needed pain improvements and symptom reversal for slipped disc patients.
Qualifications for Chiropractors in Malaysia
Chiropractors must demonstrate both their educational background and legal qualifications to practice. First, they must have graduated from a chiropractic education program that has received accreditation from The Councils on Chiropractic Education International (CCEI) for at least four years. This ensures they have received a high standard of training recognized by a global chiropractic authority.
In addition to their education, chiropractors must also be licensed to practice in their country. In Malaysia, this means being registered with the Malaysian Traditional and Complementary Medicine Council (T&CM), Ministry of Health Malaysia.
Registration with the Association of Chiropractic Malaysia (ACM), ensures that qualified centers can be reviewed and businesses. By meeting these stringent qualifications and standards, chiropractors in Malaysia are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide effective and professional care for individuals seeking treatment for spinal disc pain related conditions like herniated discs.
Certified Registered Chiropractors with Traditional & Complementary Medicine (T&CM), Ministry of Health Malaysia
Certified Registered Chiropractors with Association of Chiropractic Malaysia (ACM)
Osso Bone Care Chiropractors are certified and qualified to provide you with the best chiropractic services for slipped disc and herniated disc patients.
One of The Best Chiropractic Centers in Malaysia
Advancing as pioneers in the field since 2007, we are the first chiropractic center in Malaysia to offer integrated digital x-ray services, streamlining your chiropractic care under one roof. Many patients have found success and results with Osso Bone Care due to our unique, signature treatments and by showing evidence of the spinal condition with our Digital X-Ray screening, which accurately diagnose the root cause of the spinal conditions.
Why Would You Want to Go to a Different Place if OSSO Bone Care Chiropractic® has All That You Need?
5 Responses
I’ve been having this issue for nearly twenty years. It has gotten more severe lately. Every step is in pain. Tried many alternative treatments over the years. Do you think you’ll be able to help?
Hi Andy Loh, yes we have many patients coming to us like your condition, tried various treatments without success, often because those approaches failed to address the root causes of their pain. Surprisingly, many had never undergone an X-ray, which left previous practitioners essentially guessing. Our advanced digital X-ray technology offers a clear and comprehensive view of your spine,allowing us to diagnose conditions from their root cause, primarily related to the structure, shape, and alignment of the spinal vertebrae, which is crucial for detecting abnormalities in the spine, revealing issues that were previously undetected. This critical insight ensures every detail is captured and every treatment plan is based on a thorough and accurate diagnosis. By living up to our principle, “To see is to know, to not see is to guess,” we ensure accurate diagnoses and substantially improve treatment outcomes. Our treatments are specialize in treating slipped disc & most suitable for especially in pain patients because the treatments are gentle. You may refer more information on how our treatments help on a slipped disc at the link provided below https://www.osso.com.my/slip-disc-herniated-disc/
Can the treatment you use for a slipped disc also be used for a bulging disc?
Yes, the treatments we use for a slipped disc also apply to a bulging disc. Both terms refer to the same condition at different stages. Various medical terms like bulging disc, herniated disc, ruptured disc, or prolapsed disc also refer to this condition. Our chiropractic treatments are effective for all stages, using precise and gentle techniques to relieve pain and promote healing. We target the root cause to restore proper spinal alignment and function, providing relief for both slipped, and bulging discs. You may refer more information on how our treatments help on a slipped disc at the link provided below https://www.osso.com.my/slip-disc-herniated-disc/