Back pain continues to be one of the main issues for people who seek chiropractic care. Herniated discs in particular are one of the leading causes of back pain for many Americans. Laguna Hills chiropractic care offers patients a drug-free alternative for this painful and debilitating condition.
Since there can be some confusion over terminology, it's worth pointing out the difference between a herniated (or bulging) disc and a ruptured disc. A disc is considered herniated when the soft gel-like nucleus of the disc protrudes through the outer casing (called the annulus). This is the less serious of these conditions and the easiest to tackle.
A disc is deemed ruptured when the nucleus makes a more complete break through its outer casing. This puts pressure on the spinal cord and presents a more severe medical problem. Either way, it's the pressure placed on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots or sciatic nerve that are the cause of the pain.
A chiropractor has a number of options when caring for a patient with this condition. He or she will first of all perform a thorough physical examination. Principally, the chiropractor will look at the patient's posture, reflexes, muscle strength and nerve sensation.
X-rays or an MRI may also be undertaken if the practitioner requires them. When the examination is over, the chiropractor will draw up a plan of care that is custom made for the patient. This will almost certainly include spinal manipulation as this helps bring the spine back to its proper shape and release pressure on the discs and nerves.
Adjustments may also be made to the pelvis and neck, and specific muscle groups may be stretched and/or massaged. Spinal decompression is another technique that can prove extremely beneficial. It involves gently extending the spine using a motorized device or a traction table, and by easing pressure on the discs, it can significantly alleviate pain.
Since there can be some confusion over terminology, it's worth pointing out the difference between a herniated (or bulging) disc and a ruptured disc. A disc is considered herniated when the soft gel-like nucleus of the disc protrudes through the outer casing (called the annulus). This is the less serious of these conditions and the easiest to tackle.
A disc is deemed ruptured when the nucleus makes a more complete break through its outer casing. This puts pressure on the spinal cord and presents a more severe medical problem. Either way, it's the pressure placed on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots or sciatic nerve that are the cause of the pain.
A chiropractor has a number of options when caring for a patient with this condition. He or she will first of all perform a thorough physical examination. Principally, the chiropractor will look at the patient's posture, reflexes, muscle strength and nerve sensation.
X-rays or an MRI may also be undertaken if the practitioner requires them. When the examination is over, the chiropractor will draw up a plan of care that is custom made for the patient. This will almost certainly include spinal manipulation as this helps bring the spine back to its proper shape and release pressure on the discs and nerves.
Adjustments may also be made to the pelvis and neck, and specific muscle groups may be stretched and/or massaged. Spinal decompression is another technique that can prove extremely beneficial. It involves gently extending the spine using a motorized device or a traction table, and by easing pressure on the discs, it can significantly alleviate pain.
About the Author:
You can get fast neck, spine and hip pain relief through chiropractic care. Get more information about a well-respected Laguna Hills chiropractic doctor at http://www.claytonthomasnoel.com now.
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