What is a herniated disc, and what is it caused by?

The vertebral column consists of 33 vertebrae and the intervertebral discs connected to them that divide them. The function of the spine is to protect the spinal cord that passes through it. The intervertebral discs carry the gravitational load and redistribute body weight between them.

There are two main reasons for a herniated disc: a load asymmetrically carried for a long time (bad posture in the office, sitting in incorrect positions, etc ..) or a sudden overload (trauma, road accident, sports injury, etc ..). Hernias can form throughout the spine, but the most common areas are the cervical, which causes brachialgia, and the lumbosacral, causing sciatica.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Institute of Health recommend treating this pathology with non-surgical methods of treatment. At the Francesco Mariani Chiropractic Studio, we specialize in treating patients with protrusions and herniated discs of the spine with natural and non-invasive methods.

Book here an appointment at Fit and Healthy Chiropractic for treatment of a slipped disc online and receive 20£ off.

Why Choose Herniated Disc Chiropractic?

Doctors and chiropractors agree on the effiectiveness of the conservative treatment of the herniated disc if carried out through qualified manipulations of the spine. At one time this pathology was resolved only surgically, but today it is treated with conservative methods.

The main reasons are:

1. Studies have been done to see how common herniated disc is in people over 40. Today it is known that about 40% of people over 40 have a hernia that is visible on MRI or CT but without pain or other symptoms. For this reason, even if a herniated disc is present, confirmed by MRI or CT, the source of the pain can be another such as joint or muscle problems.
   
2. In cases where the disc is the source of pain, the primary cause of pain is not necessarily compression of the nerve roots, as previously thought, but inflammation due to material leaking into the epidural space.The chiropractic adjustment reduces inflammation, and in some cases helps reabsorb the herniated material from the nerve root.
   
3. Chiropractic by reintroducing the appropriate spinal function and through targeted exercises reduces inflammation of the nerve speeding up the self-healing process and decreases the chances of a recurrence.
   

Our method of treatment

The first chiropractic visit focuses on understanding if we can take care of the patient and how we can help him in the most effective way possible. After an accurate chiropractic visit with particular attention to the posture, back, neurological functions, muscle tests, and mobility of the patient, we study the clinical tests (X-rays, CT and/or MRI, electromyography, ultrasound, blood tests, etc ..). Based on the clinical picture and the evaluation of the case we will explain which is the most effiective and appropriate path for the patient. If the patient falls within the chiropractic field of expertise, he will receive the first adjustment. About 60% of our patients suffer from these problems and come to the office to seek a remedy and cure. They often have more than one hernia, they had several injections and/or already had a surgical operation which seemed to have given relief, but unfortunately, the problem returned. Our intervention is aimed at restoring the normal functionality of the spine and nervous system to eliminate the root cause of the problem, not only to reduce the symptoms.

How much time and sessions does it take to heal?

The number of sessions, the frequency, and the techniques to be adopted are different for each patient. Some people respond faster than others. It depends on how long the problem has existed and the severity of the damage. Some need to be treated more often, even every day, while others can only be treated once a week. In any case, the frequency of treatments tends to decrease up to one session every two / three months to maintain the balance and well-being achieved.

The natural solution and curative path of the hernia disc are long because it involves mechanical compression and crushing of the nerve and adjacent ligaments, which requires a few months of therapy to regain elasticity and function.

Usually, with chiropractic, there is a noticeable improvement symptom in the first four weeks of treatments but, for the spine to return to its optimal function, it generally takes a few months. To speed up the rehabilitation period it is important to resume physical activity as soon as possible, even if only with short walks.

Bibliography

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