Dr. Michele Foxworthy has been a leading chiropractor in Farmington Hills for 34 years and has worked with thousands of individuals struggling with back pain and other symptoms related to herniated discs. While most of us have probably heard of a herniated disc before, it’s actually a fairly misunderstood condition. Is a bulging disc the same thing as a herniated disc? What about a pinched nerve or even a “slipped disc”? Keep reading to learn more, and to find out how the team at Anchor Holistic Health can help you.
Herniated Discs Explained: What They Are, What Causes Them & What They Feel Like
Between the bones of your spine (called vertebrae), you have small structures called intervertebral discs. The outer layer of a disc is made of tough cartilage called the annulus fibrosus, while its inner core contains a gel-like substance called the nucleus pulposus. When a disc herniates, the outer layer tears or breaks open, allowing the inner gel-like substance to leak out into the surrounding joint space. If any part of the injured disc puts pressure on a nearby spinal nerve, this can lead to painful nerve impingement symptoms including sharp, stabbing, radiating, shooting, and/or burning pain in the limb that the nerve innervates, along with weakness and numbness. Herniated discs may also present with back pain, muscle tightness or spasms, and back stiffness.
True to its name, a bulging disc occurs when the inner gelatinous core bulges out of place but fails to break through the outer layer. A bulging disc can present very similarly to a herniated disc, and often responds to similar treatment. (A slipped disc, on the other hand, is a misnomer. Discs may herniate or bulge, but they do not “slip” out of place.)
A disc may herniate due to degenerative joint changes with age, poor posture, repeated back flexion and extension, and other factors. Being overweight, being too sedentary, and smoking may also increase your risk of a disc herniation. Diagnosis can typically be made based on clinical symptoms, a physical examination, and imaging studies including MRI.
What to Expect When Seeing Our Farmington Chiropractor For Herniated Disc Treatment
Expect respect and results! Our focus of care for herniated disc treatment in Farmington is to reduce your symptoms while also helping the injured disc heal. To do this, our Farmington chiropractor may utilize one or several drug-free techniques and services, including spinal adjustments, massage therapy, corrective exercises, and even nutritional guidance to help promote anti-inflammation.
We’ll help you get back pain relief so you can get back on your feet as soon as possible–without a reliance on drugs or invasive procedures.
Are You Struggling With Symptoms of a Herniated Disc? Get Lasting & Natural Back Pain Relief With Our Farmington Chiropractor
If you’ve been looking for natural Farmington Hills back pain relief, schedule a consultation at Anchor Holistic Health. We are not your typical chiropractic office–from the second you walk through the door to the moment you walk out (hopefully feeling better than when you came in!), we are 100% committed to making you feel welcome, at ease, and well taken care of. Call (248) 471-1250 today to arrange your appointment or to learn more about our natural and drug-free services that can heal a herniated disc and much more.