We’ve all heard about “slipped discs”, and the serious pain that goes with it. What many people don’t know is what these “discs” are, and how they can be treated.
These “discs”, also known as intervertebral discs, are spongy pads that lie between the vertebra in your spine. They act as shock absorbers so that the bones in your spine don’t knock each other when you walk, run, sit down or bend. However, after years of wear-and-tear, or even an injury, these discs can get damaged, and bulge out like a squeezed balloon. This can irritate the surrounding muscles or cause a pinched nerve. Nerves can also be pinched by bones and muscles, and the symptoms are similar to those of a slipped disc. These include pain while sitting, standing or walking.
With a slipped disc, this pain may worsen when pressure is exerted on the area, like during a coughing spell, while sneezing or bending. Other common symptoms of a slipped disc include stiffness or tenderness of the spine, numbness, weakness or burning pain that radiates down your arms or legs. A pinched nerve will also result in symptoms of numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and pain at the place where the nerve is pinched.
Some of this pain and discomfort can be alleviated with the appropriate chiropractic care. During a consultation, your chiropractor will ask you about your medical history, and perform some orthopaedic and neurological tests to determine the location and severity of the injury. If necessary, he may send you for further tests, such as an X-ray. If the injury is severe, you may be referred to a specialist or surgeon for complete repair of the injury site. However, most times, both slipped discs and pinched nerves are treatable, and your chiropractor may employ a variety of techniques, such as spinal mobilisations and soft tissue work for the spasms, to bring you relief!
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