Chiropractor For Bulging/Herniated Discs Fort Collins CO

Name: Heart Hand Chiropractic
Address: 260 E. Horsetooth Rd, Suite 101, Fort Collins, CO, 80525, US
Telephone: (970) 377-3557

Herniated Disc Treatment in Fort Collins, CO

A herniated disc occurs when a tear develops in the outer, fibrous ring of a spinal disc, allowing the jelly-like inner part of the disc to bulge out of the torn spot. This protrusion of the inner disc can result in pressure on the nerve roots or spinal cord near the herniation. That causes interruption in normal nerve flow and often severe pain.

Also known as bulging or ruptured discs, a herniated disc can also cause a release of inflammatory chemical mediators, which intensify and propagate the inflammatory response. That can cause intense pain even if the nerve root is not compressed.

This condition is also widely referred to as a slipped disc, however, this term is not medically accurate. The spinal discs are firmly attached between the vertebrae and cannot “slip” out of place.

If you are experiencing any type of back pain or unexplained symptoms like those listed below, contact us online at our Fort Collins office or call us at (970) 377-3557 to learn more about how we can help.

Herniated Disc Symptoms

Symptoms can vary widely in the affected area, or even in other areas of the body, as a result of a herniated disc. These symptoms can include:

Dull or sharp pain and/or numbness, most commonly on one side of the body

Pain that extends to your arms or legs

Increased pain at night or with certain movements

Pain when walking short distances

Increased pain after standing or sitting

Unexplained muscle weakness, muscle spasms, or cramps

Tingling, aching, or burning sensations in the affected area

Overactive reflexes

Sciatica

In extreme cases, bowel and bladder incontinence

Causes and Risk Factors

Herniated discs are most often due to disc degeneration as a result of not caring for your spine from birth. Dehydration of the spinal discs makes the discs less flexible and more prone to injury.

Less often the cause can be due to heavy or improper lifting or a traumatic event, such as a fall or other injury to the back or spine.

There are several risk factors that can lead to a herniated disc:

Excess body weight causes extra stress on the disks in your lower back, sometimes leading to lower back pain.
Poor posture, especially while sitting, can also put more stress on the vertebrae and discs in the lumbar area.
Physically demanding jobs that require repetitive lifting, pulling, pushing, bending sideways, and twisting, have a greater risk for experiencing many types of back problems, including herniated discs.

Treatment

There are treatments available if you suffer from a herniated disc and want to explore options that let you heal naturally without taking drugs, which can have severe side effects, or having unnecessary surgery.

Many times a disc becomes injured due to poor movement of the spine in that area or poor mechanics of the spine. Our typical treatment for a herniated disc involves restoring motion to the injured area of the spine using chiropractic adjustments and then using traction or spinal decompression (see image) to decompress the injured joint.

Once pain and symptoms are under control it is important to learn spinal self-care for prevention. Studies have shown that chiropractic care is highly effective in the treatment of herniated discs with no adverse side effects.

Prior to treatment, we will perform a thorough examination of your skeletal system, analyze your health history, and develop the best strategy to not merely relieve your symptoms, but to cure the root cause of your problem. Our recommendations will include a comprehensive care plan that may also include exercises, tractions, lifestyle changes, and other natural methods of care.

Chiropractic adjustments align the spine and relieve pressure on the nervous system, restoring normal motion to the spine and allowing the body to heal.

Chiropractic Care Plan

The specifics of your chiropractic care plan are particular to your examination results, your pain level, your overall health and activity levels, and our best recommendations for care.

With any treatment plan, we encourage you to ask questions and engage in learning about how your body works and how it breaks down so you can understand how to best take care of it. Get your best results by being an educated, involved member of your health care team.

Contact our Fort Collins office today at (970) 377-3557 to schedule a complimentary spinal screening.

Get In Touch With Us

If you have any questions about how we can get you out of pain or improve your overall quality of life, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (970) 377-3557.