What is a disc?
The intervertebral discs are the “jelly doughnuts” in between the bones of the spine. The discs serve as shock absorption during movement and physical use. Experiencing trauma, or repetitive motions, can drastically increase stress on the jelly doughnuts (discs) in the spine causing it respond in a number of different ways, such as a “Bulging Disc”, “Herniated Disc”, “Protruding or Ruptured Disc”, or over time a “Degenerative Disc”
What is a bulging disc?
A bulging disc happens when one of these cushions gets pressed or squeezed and starts to stick out beyond where it should be. Imagine sitting on a jelly donut—the jelly would push out to the sides, but it stays inside. That’s what a bulging disc looks like. It can press on nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness, or tingling in your back, legs, or arms.
What is a herniated disc?
A herniated disc is more serious. This is when the outer layer of the disc actually tears or breaks open, and the soft jelly-like center leaks out. Going back to our donut example—this time the jelly squirts out of our donut. When this happens, it can irritate or press on the nerves around your spine, causing sharp pain, weakness, or shooting pains down your legs or arms.
What is a degenerated disc?
As we get older, our discs naturally wear down, kind of like how the tread on shoes wears out over time. They lose water and become thinner and less squishy. This is called degenerative disc disease. When the discs get thinner, the bones in your spine can rub together more, causing stiffness, pain, and making it harder to move comfortably.
These disc injuries can commonly contribute to a variation of symptoms, but typically described by patients as one of, or a combination of, the following symptoms:
- Restricted or a loss of motion of the neck or lower back
- Shooting pain into the arms or legs
- Numbness into the shoulder, arm, wrist, hand and/or fingers
- Numbness into the buttock, thigh, lower leg, foot, and/or toes
- Burning feeling into the arms and hands, or legs and feet
- Cold sensation into the arms and hands, or legs and feet
- Weakness or heavy feeling of the legs when walking or during stairs
- Difficulty grasping objects
- Feeling the sensation of walking on sand, or gravel in their shoes
Evidence-Based Treatment for Disc Injuries:
At Amplified Chiropractic and Wellness, we have years of experience working with patients that are suffering with disc injuries and helping them restore the confidence in their abilities, as well as empowering them to see what they are capable of. Our treatment protocols are backed by clinical results and research data, and combine one or more of the following treatments to give patient’s the best results for their pain:
- Chiropractic Adjustments
- Flexion / Distraction Treatment
- Breathing Coaching
- “Centering” Coaching
- Manual Therapy
- Kinesiology Taping
- Physiotherapy / Functional + Strength Based Exercise protocol
- Shockwave Therapy
How Can Chiropractic Care Help?
- Reduces pressure: Our adjustments are aimed to help take pressure off the injured disc and the nerves around it, which reduces pain.
- Improves movement: When your spine moves better, it helps blood flow and nutrients get to the injured area so it can heal.
- Strengthens your body: At Amplified Chiropractic, we teach you exercises that make the muscles around your spine stronger, which supports and protects your discs.
- Natural relief: Chiropractic care helps your body heal naturally without surgery, injections, or medications.
Our goal is to reduce your pain, help you move better, and get you back to doing the things you love.
