Herniated Disc Specialist

What is a herniated disc?

Intervertebral discs are structures in your spine that cushion your vertebrae when you move. If you have a herniated disc, the soft center of one of these discs bulges through the disc’s tough outer layer. In some cases, this may not cause any problems. However, the disc may put pressure on nearby nerves, which leads to pain and other symptoms.

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?

Not every patient with a herniated disc experiences symptoms. However, if your disc affects nearby nerves, you may notice pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the area. Herniated discs are most common in the lower back, but they can develop anywhere along the spine.

What causes discs to become herniated?

Most people develop herniated discs because of the aging process. As you get older, the discs in your back break down because of normal wear and tear. When these discs grow weaker, they’re more likely to become herniated from normal movements.
In other cases, herniated discs may not be related to aging. For example, you may develop a herniated disc because of a trauma to the spine.

Certain factors make you more likely to have a herniated disc. If you spend a lot of time bending and lifting, you have more opportunities to develop this condition. In addition, being overweight can also make herniated discs more likely.

How does South Shore Chiropractic treat herniated discs?

When you come to South Shore Chiropractic with symptoms of a herniated disc, Dr. Campo or another physician begins by confirming that a herniated disc is present. This may involve physical exams and/or imaging tests. After your doctor has diagnosed you with a herniated disc and identified its location, he develops a treatment plan designed to improve your symptoms.

South Shore Chiropractic offers a range of treatments that may help with your herniated disc, including:

• Massage therapy to loosen the muscles near the disc and relieve pain
• Traction and flexion-distraction to relieve pressure on the spine and promote healing
• Chiropractic adjustments to improve the health of nearby nerves

You may also benefit from electrical muscle stimulation and/or ultrasound therapy.