Pain Relief for a Slipped Disc in London Ontario with Chiropractic Care

Experiencing Back Pain? Discover Effective Pain Relief for a Slipped Disc in London Ontario with Chiropractic Care

Back pain can be debilitating, and disc problems like herniated, bulging, or slipped discs are often the reason for this discomfort. If you’re struggling with a disc injury, you might feel like you’ve exhausted all your options for relief. However, chiropractic care, offers a unique, effective approach that might just be what you need. As the chiropractor at LifeHouse Chiropractic in London, Ontario, I am proud to use the Gonstead technique—a highly precise method of spinal adjustment that targets the root causes of spinal distress. Discover how chiropractic care can provide significant pain relief for a slipped disc improving your spinal health and overall well-being without invasive procedures.

What is a Slipped, Bulging, or Herniated Disc?

To understand what a slipped, bulging or herniated disc is, let’s start with understanding discs.  The little round cushions that lie between your vertebrae are called intervertebral discs. Each of these discs has a tough outer ring and a soft gel-like center. Your disc’s job is to both join and separate your vertebrae from one another. These discs act as cushions, or shock absorbers, so that the bones don’t make contact with each other as you move around, carry large objects, and bend over. Without the discs, you would literally be unable to move your upper torso. Here are a few of the different kinds of disc injuries that make movements of the upper torso painful and difficult:

• Bulging or Protruding Disc: This occurs when a disc bulges out from its normal space, typically without breaking open. Bulging discs may not cause pain unless they press on nearby nerves.
• Herniated, Ruptured, Slipped, or Torn Disc: This happens when the tough outer layer of the disc cracks and allows some of the softer inner material to be pushed out. This condition is more likely to cause pain than a bulging disc because the pushed-out material can press more directly on nerve roots and can often include symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness along the nerve being affected. Herniated discs can occur suddenly due to injury or gradually with repetitive strain.
• Extruded Disc: This is when the gel balloons significantly into the area outside the vertebrae, but remains connected to the disc. If this extrusion presses on nerve roots or the spinal cord, it can lead to more intense and radiating pain, greater neurological symptoms, and potentially more severe outcomes.
• Sequestered Disc: This is when the gel in the disc pushes into the area outside of the vertebrae and migrates away, which usually results in significant pain and discomfort. The level of pain can vary based on several factors, including the location of the fragment, the degree of nerve compression, and individual pain sensitivity.  Common symptoms include severe pain, numbness and weakness along the affected nerve pathway, which can be debilitating.

Signs and Symptoms of a Slipped or Bulging Disc

Disc injuries will present with a range of signs and symptoms depending on the location of the injury and the degree of nerve involvement. Here are some common signs and symptoms of disc injuries:

• Pain is the Most Common Symptom:  There may be localized pain, for example in the back or neck, depending on the location of the injured disc or there may be radiating pain. Radiating pain could spread from the neck into the arms and hands, from the lower back into the buttocks, thighs and down the calves or feet which is called sciatica.
• Numbness or Tingling: This can occur in areas served by the nerves affected by the disc injury.
• Weakness: Muscles may grow weaker, causing stumbling or difficulty lifting objects, and in extreme situations, there maybe loss of bowel and bladder control.
• Changes in Reflexes: Reflexes may be diminished or absent when the nerve is compressed.
• Limited Range of Motion: Reduced mobility due to muscle tightness, muscle weakness or pain.
• Worsening Pain with Movement: Bending, lifting, standing, sitting for a long time, walking or even sneezing or coughing could make the pain worse.
• Changes in posture: In an attempt to reduce pain, a person might adjust how they stand, walk or sit.

These signs and symptoms can vary in intensity and may come and go. Recognizing these signs early and doing something about it, like getting to a chiropractor, is one of the most important things you can do to help manage your pain and to prevent further spinal or nerve damage.

Chiropractic Care in London Ontario for a Slipped Disc Pain Relief

Seeing a chiropractor at LifeHouse Chiropractic in London, Ontario, who uses the Gonstead method, is especially helpful for someone with a disc injury. Here’s why chiropractic care can provide pain relief for slipped disc:

• Precise Adjustments:Gonstead chiropractors are known for their thorough and precise approach to spinal adjustments. They focus on adjusting only the specific vertebrae that causing nerve interference. This enables them to treat the involved disc without exacerbating the problem.
• Thorough Diagnostic Assessment: The Gonstead method uses diagnostic techniques, including X-rays, to provide a clear picture of the spine’s structure and alignment.
• Minimized Stress on the Spine: Gonstead adjustments target only the affected areas, avoiding unnecessary stress on other parts of the spine.
• Effective Pain Relief: The Gonstead method directs the chiropractor to focus on relieving pressure on the nerve roots that are irritated by the disk injury and can reduce pain and discomfort..
• Improved Spinal Function: Gonstead adjustments restore normal spinal alignment, which can help prevent further disc degeneration.
• Holistic Approach:  Gonstead chiropractors look at the patient’s overall health, lifestyle and specific physical condition so as to provide a more effective, comprehensive and individualized plan of care.

Conclusion: Pain Relief for a Slipped Disc is Possible with Chiropractic Care in London Ontario

Disc injuries, whether they are bulging, herniated, or more severe, can be a significant source of pain. Recognizing the signs early and seeking chiropractic care for pain relief for slipped disc  in London, Ontario can help manage your condition and prevent further injury.

If you’re suffering from disc injury symptoms, contact us at LifeHouse Chiropractic. We are dedicated to helping you achieve optimal spinal health through personalized and precise chiropractic care. Don’t let back pain hold you back—reach out to us today to learn more about our natural and effective solutions.