• Functional Neurology::
• Surgical Prevention/ Disc Herniation::
• Chiropractic Care::
• Chiropractic Neurology::
• Migraines::
• Post Concussion Headache::
• Vertigo::
• Whiplash::
• Adhesive Capsulitis (frozen shoulder)

 
Disc injuries are a common, yet painful occurrence.  Patients often complain of shooting pain, numbness/tingling and extreme localized discomfort.  Many people look toward conventional treatments like drugs or surgery to alleviate their pain, but there is another option that addressed the problem directly without the possible complications of drugs and surgery. 

Chiropractic and Functional Neurological care allows us to diagnose the specific problem and alleviate it, using advanced treatment and methods.  We are able to rehabilitate the disc injury directly without masking symptoms or causing additional issues, as is common with surgery.  Back surgeries have a mediocre success rate, however, there are certainly situations where they are appropriate and an excellent method of treatment, but those cases are not as common as one may think.  The question is, when is it appropriate?  A conservative approach is often recommended by us, as long as you can tolerate your present state of pain.  Mayo clinic states that, "Most people who have a herniated disk don't need surgery to correct the problem."  Our care is not painful, and patients often notice a dramatic difference within a relatively short period of time.  Pharmaceuticals are an excellent option to deal with the inflammation involved with muscle tension and pain during this period, but only for a short length of time.  

How does a disc herniation or bulge occur?  First, it is important to understand the physiology of a disc herniation.  A disc can herniate if a tremendous amount of compression, or rotational pressure occurs, literally tearing the disc and allowing the nucleus pulposus, or inner contents to herniate out.  However, this acute, traumatic injury is less common than others, and discs are incredibly resilient, strong structures.  It is more common for a disc herniation to be preceeded by a rotational or linear restriction of the spinal segments.  This causes a slow bulge to occur that can eventually weaken the outer fibers (Annulus Fibrosus) and slowly tear it.  This doesn't always happen, and it may just maintain itself as a bulge.  However, this can create pain and discomfort as well.  I like to use the analogy of an ice cream sandwich; squeeze down on one side of it and watch as the other side bulges out.  The cookie parts are the restricted vertebrae of your spine and the ice cream part is the disc that is herniating, or bulging out.   

How can it heal?  In order for a herniation or bulge to heal, we need to improve disc motion.  The disc does not have the same blood supply that other parts of your body do, so it must get its nutrients through diffusion, or motion, like a vacuum effect.  Through motion, the disc is able to imbibe, or drink in nutrients from the surrounding blood supply by creating a pressurized pumping action.  However, as stated earlier, if the vertebrae are restricted, or not moving, the disc is not able acquire nutrients and thus will not heal properly.  A disc herniation is really just like a cut in your skin, it is a fissure that has occurred and is leaking contents.  The major difference is in how they heal.  The cut in your skin has blood flow to carry nutrients, but the disc must have motion to imbibe its healing contents.    

What will Chiropractic and Functional Neurology accomplish?  After diagnosing the disc herniation in question, usually through MRI, neurological and physical exam, we can determine where the affected areas are.  The process initially starts mildly, and is intended to regain motion into the spine and disc.  Specialized adjustments that do not create rotation are applied to reduce restrictions in the vertebrae.  This allows the disc to begin the motion process.  Spinal decompression is applied to create the vacuum affect described earlier, and force motion and nutrients into the disc.  Muscular and Neurological retraining occurs via Ventricular Muscle Stimulation, Proprioceptive Neuro-facilitative stretching, cross-cord inhibition and Low Level Laser Therapy.  After the patient has shown improvement, strengthening and neurological retraining will be emphasized to reconnect the peripheral and central nervous system control over the affected region.





Mayo reference 1: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/herniated-disk/DS00893