Bulging Disc / Herniated Disc / Slipped Disc
Bulging Disc / Herniated Disc / Slipped Disc
When a disc herniates or bulges, the nucleus is pushed through a tear in the annulus...resulting in symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling & weakness.
A bulging or herniated disc is common in the lower back or lumbar spine but also can occur in the middle back and neck. It is common for people to used the term "slipped disc" when referring to a disc injury in the neck or back. In reality, discs do not slip.
Picture a disc being like a jelly donut with a tough outer layer called the annulus and a squishy inner layer called the nucleus. When a disc herniates or bulges, the nucleus (jelly) is pushed through a tear in the annulus (the donut). The herniation causes inflammation that can irritate the nerve and/or spinal cord resulting in symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling and weakness. Occasionally the nucleus may actually be large enough to contact the nerve directly causing the symptoms.
What causes a disc to herniate?
The are a number of factors that can lead to a disc herniation. Poor nutrition, a sedentary lifestyle and smoking can lead to disc damage. As well, bad posture, improper lifting technique and trauma such as whiplash can all result in a herniation. A disc that is in poor health, can herniate simply by coughing, sneezing or bending over to pick up a pen off the floor.
How do I know if I have a herniated disc?
Pain in the area of the herniation is the most common symptom, however, herniations can occur without pain. That pain may radiate or travel to other areas of your body like your arms or legs. Numbness, tingling and muscle weakness can also result. With a large disc herniation, you may have issues with your bowel or bladder function, problems with sexual function and muscle atrophy.
How is a herniated disc treated?
Most disc herniations can be treated very effectively with conservative chiropractic care. This involves a combination of gentle adjustments, exercise therapy and stretching. Occasionally, a disc herniation is so severe that is requires surgery. Surgical referral is reserved for individuals who have not responded to conservative care, have lost bowel or bladder function or have experienced rapid muscle atrophy.
Your chiropractor here at West Coast Chiropractic Carlsbad can do a complete exam and determine the proper course of care for your particular disc problem. We have helped many individuals throughout Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista experience relief, get off medications and avoid or recover from surgery.
Call us today! (760) 720-2920.
3144 El Camino Real #201, Carlsbad, CA, 92008
(Corner of El Camino Real & Carlsbad Village Dr.)
West Coast Chiropractic Carlsbad | Carlsbad Chiropractor
| Oceanside Chiropractor
| Vista Chiropractor
Bulging Disc / Herniated Disc / Slipped Disc
When a disc herniates or bulges, the nucleus is pushed through a tear in the annulus...resulting in symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling & weakness.
A bulging or herniated disc is common in the lower back or lumbar spine but also can occur in the middle back and neck. It is common for people to used the term "slipped disc" when referring to a disc injury in the neck or back. In reality, discs do not slip.
Picture a disc being like a jelly donut with a tough outer layer called the annulus and a squishy inner layer called the nucleus. When a disc herniates or bulges, the nucleus (jelly) is pushed through a tear in the annulus (the donut). The herniation causes inflammation that can irritate the nerve and/or spinal cord resulting in symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling and weakness. Occasionally the nucleus may actually be large enough to contact the nerve directly causing the symptoms.
What causes a disc to herniate?
The are a number of factors that can lead to a disc herniation. Poor nutrition, a sedentary lifestyle and smoking can lead to disc damage. As well, bad posture, improper lifting technique and trauma such as whiplash can all result in a herniation. A disc that is in poor health, can herniate simply by coughing, sneezing or bending over to pick up a pen off the floor.
How do I know if I have a herniated disc?
Pain in the area of the herniation is the most common symptom, however, herniations can occur without pain. That pain may radiate or travel to other areas of your body like your arms or legs. Numbness, tingling and muscle weakness can also result. With a large disc herniation, you may have issues with your bowel or bladder function, problems with sexual function and muscle atrophy.
How is a herniated disc treated?
Most disc herniations can be treated very effectively with conservative chiropractic care. This involves a combination of gentle adjustments, exercise therapy and stretching. Occasionally, a disc herniation is so severe that is requires surgery. Surgical referral is reserved for individuals who have not responded to conservative care, have lost bowel or bladder function or have experienced rapid muscle atrophy.
Your chiropractor here at West Coast Chiropractic Carlsbad can do a complete exam and determine the proper course of care for your particular disc problem. We have helped many individuals throughout Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista experience relief, get off medications and avoid or recover from surgery.
Call us today! (760) 720-2920.
3144 El Camino Real #201, Carlsbad, CA, 92008
(Corner of El Camino Real & Carlsbad Village Dr.)
West Coast Chiropractic Carlsbad | Carlsbad Chiropractor
| Oceanside Chiropractor
| Vista Chiropractor
| Oceanside Chiropractor
| Vista Chiropractor
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