Bottom Line:

Disc herniations, bulges, protrusions and extrusions are some of the most common reasons people visit a Chiropractic practice. Come to think of it, most people visit a Chiropractor not just because they have a disc issue, but because the disc issue has caused a significant impact on their quality of life. Exciting new research showcases what we have witnessed for years: how Chiropractic care provides outstanding results for people dealing with spinal disc issues. 

Why it Matters:

Specific Chiropractic techniques are thought to alter the pressure in your spinal discs. Emerging research has shown that by reducing intra-discal stress and opening up the channels that your nerves pass through, you can improve how you feel and stimulate the healing process.

• Keeping your core muscles strong and flexible can decrease your likelihood of suffering a disc bulge or herniation.
• Research has shown Chiropractic to be very effective at reducing pain caused by disc bulges and herniations.
• Chiropractic adjustments were found to be more effective than spinal injections for treating disc issues.

Next Steps:

If you have an MRI that shows a disc issue, it does NOT mean that surgery or injections are your only options. A recent study showcased how people with an MRI-confirmed disc herniation received better results with Chiropractic adjustments than with injections. Your body has an incredible ability to heal without drugs or surgery, even from disc herniations, and we’re here to help!

Science Source: Symptomatic magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed lumbar disk herniation patients: a comparative effectiveness prospective observational study of 2 age- and sex-matched cohorts treated with either high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulative therapy or imaging-guided lumbar nerve root injections. JMPT 2013