Herniated Discs

Herniated discs in the spine are fickle injuries. For lucky people, they will occur and heal in a period of weeks to months without the onset of any pain. For others, the pain can escalate to a severity that requires surgery. At Espinosa Family Chiropractic, we have experience treating disc herniation at all points in the spectrum. For the mild sufferer, pain can be alleviated, speeding the process of recovery. For someone who decides the pain is intolerable, chiropractic has been shown to improve pain and mobility, both good indicators of a successful surgery.

Disc herniation is a condition that presents itself when intervertebral discs are compromised, however temporarily. The discs, that lie between each vertebra, are composed of two layers: the annulus fibrosus is the outer ring which houses the inner layer called the nucleus pulposus, a gel-like core. Together, they form a cushion that accentuates the spine, allowing for shock absorption and resilience to compressive forces. Herniation occurs when the annulus fibrosus cracks, allowing the nucleus pulposus to leak outwards. Pain is usually experienced when this leak bulges far enough out to impinge on spinal nerves.

Chiropractic does not magically fix a herniated disc. Rather, it focuses on relieving pain and helping the body to heal naturally. Low-force adjustments encourage mobility of the joint in an area stricken by tension. Stretching techniques relieve pressure from nerves that are being aggravated by the bulge of a herniated disc. Is your posture contributing to your pain? How can you make lifestyle adjustments that will support a speedy recovery? These are questions that we will address based on your individual history and experience of pain. If herniated disc pain is encroaching on your quality of life, call our office in Sacramento today at (916) 457-8825 to schedule an appointment and set a course for healing.

Dr. Raymond Espinosa, D.C.