Years of slouching at a desk, a sudden twist when lifting something heavy – Whatever the cause, a herniated disc can be incredibly painful and debilitating. For some people, disc herniation occurs slowly over time. For others, the condition can come out of nowhere like a lightning bolt.
As a chiropractor and the medical director of Carolinas Chiropractic, I’ve helped thousands of patients over the last 15 years get out of pain and get their lives back. Disc herniation can be treated, but with more and more people working sedentary jobs, it’s unfortunately all too common.
What’s Really Going On?
If you’ve ever felt a sharp, shooting pain down your leg or a persistent ache in your lower back that just won’t quit, you might be dealing with a herniated disc. What’s happening is the soft, jelly-like center of a spinal disc pushes through its tougher outer layer.
Think of it like a tire with a weak spot. Pressure builds up, and something has to give. That bulging disc can press on nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness. Pain often radiates into arms or legs as well, making everyday life difficult.
Is Surgery the Answer for a Herniated Disc?
You may have been told you need surgery to repair disc herniation. While we never want to rule out effective treatments, my experience has been that many cases of disc herniation don’t require surgery.
The Chiropractic Approach to Treating Disc Herniation
A lot of traditional treatments, like pain medications and injections, focus on masking the symptoms. As a chiropractor, I’m more interested in why that disc herniated in the first place. Is poor posture throwing your spine out of alignment? Are tight muscles pulling things off balance? That’s where we start.
Our goal isn’t just to chase the pain away for a day; It’s to get your spine functioning the way it’s supposed to. We help your body heal naturally, and we use a number of safe, effective in-office treatments to do that.
Here’s how we tackle a herniated disc:
- Spinal Adjustments: Gentle, precise adjustments help take pressure off the affected disc and nerves by realigning your The goal is to restore motion and balance so your body can heal itself.
- Decompression Therapy: For some patients, we use decompression therapy to gently stretch the spine, creating space between vertebrae. This can reduce the bulge and give that irritated nerve some breathing It’s not a quick fix, but it can be very effective at alleviating pain.
- Class 4 Laser Therapy: At both our Waxhaw and Pineville locations, Carolinas Chiropractic and Spinal Rehab offers advanced class IV laser therapy. This technology delivers deep penetration with high-energy light that reduces inflammation, boosts blood flow, and speeds tissue It’s also a non-invasive way to calm irritated nerves and support recovery.
- Flexion-Distraction Therapy: Using a specialized table, we gently flex and stretch your This creates space between vertebrae, helping the herniated disc retract to ease nerve irritation.
How Long Until You Experience Relief?
We’ve had patients walk in barely able to tie their shoes, and after receiving personalized treatment from our team, they feel like they got their life back. Warehouse workers, office professionals, athletes, busy parents, and grandparents – We can find solutions for anyone.
Your timeline to experience relief depends on factors like the severity of your disc herniation, your lifestyle, and your overall health. We create treatment plans that match your needs, and many patients experience relief after just one session.
A Herniated Disc Doesn’t Have to Stop You From Living Your Life
A herniated disc doesn’t have to mean a lifetime of pain or a date with a surgeon. From a chiropractor’s perspective, it’s a problem we can work with using your body’s ability to heal naturally.
Schedule Your Appointment at Carolinas Chiropractic and Spinal Rehab to Get Out of Pain
If you’re concerned about evolving back pain or a sudden, sharp pain in your back, schedule an appointment with Carolinas Chiropractic and Spinal Rehab. We have offices in Waxhaw and Pineville to serve you, and our caring team can get you back on track to living your best life.
To schedule your visit, call us at (704) 243-1010, or use our appointment form to schedule online right now.
